Rotating Distribution Apparatus for Parallel Bagging at Point of Sale
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current point of sale systems require multiple terminals and significant floor space to handle high-volume transactions efficiently, as the time to scan items is not fully optimized due to sequential scanning and bagging processes, leading to idle terminal components during bagging times.
Innovation Solution
A high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus with a disk-shaped distribution area and extendable item fences that rotates items to separate collection areas, allowing continuous processing of transactions without waiting for bagging to complete, and a method to manage the distribution using a computer processor for efficient item assignment and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple point of sale terminals are deployed to handle high-volume transactions, then transaction throughput is improved, but floor space requirements and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the checkout process into two independent parallel processes: item scanning at the POS terminal and item bagging at the collection area. This segmentation allows the scanning and bagging operations to occur simultaneously without blocking each other, thereby increasing transaction throughput without requiring additional terminals or floor space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by implementing a multi-level collection area structure with items being delivered from the horizontal conveyor plane to vertical storage compartments. This dimensional transition allows efficient use of floor space while maintaining high transaction throughput capacity.
2Device complexity
If sequential scanning and bagging process is used, then device complexity is reduced, but transaction time increases due to idle terminal components during bagging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-positioning items in the collection area during the bagging process while the scanning operation continues. The item distribution mechanism is activated in advance to deliver scanned items to appropriate collection compartments before the bagging is complete, ensuring continuous operation without idle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by ensuring that while items are being bagged in one area, the POS terminal continues scanning new items which are simultaneously distributed to the collection area. This parallel continuous operation eliminates idle time for both scanning and bagging components, maximizing system throughput without increasing complexity.
3Speed
If item scanning time is reduced to increase throughput, then transaction speed is improved, but items still require delivery and bagging which creates new bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary item distribution system that acts as a buffer between the high-speed scanning process and the bagging process. This intermediary mechanism receives items from the conveyor, identifies their destination collection areas, and delivers them appropriately, decoupling the scanning speed from the bagging speed and allowing both to operate at their optimal rates simultaneously.
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 reduces the number of required point of sale terminals, optimizes floor space, and increases transaction throughput by allowing continuous scanning and payment processing while items are being bagged in parallel across multiple collection areas.
Implementation Method 1
a motor operable to rotate the distribution area so that an item received from the point of sale terminal is moved to a location above a first of the plurality of individual collection areas
Implementation Method 2
an actuator operable to lower a first of the plurality of extendable item fences thereby allowing the item to exit the distribution area and enter the first of the plurality of individual collection areas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A scanned item distribution apparatus (15) and method are described. The scanned item distribution apparatus (15) permits bagging operations for multiple purchase transactions to occur in parallel. Overlapping the bagging operation of multiple purchase transactions allows the scanning and payment operations of the purchase transactions to continue at higher speeds. In addition, point of sale terminals (85) with high-velocity item scanners are allowed to function at higher speeds.