Scanner Gesture Recognition for POS Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Point-of-Sale (POS) scanners with integrated lasers and cameras are cumbersome to configure and program, requiring knowledge of button sequences and barcode scanning, which is outdated and error-prone.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a gesture-based command recognition system using a camera to detect hand gestures, translating them into scanner commands for adjusting settings, configuring the scanner, and programming, reducing the need for physical buttons and barcode scanning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional button-based configuration and barcode scanning methods are used, then the scanner can be programmed and configured, but the process is cumbersome, error-prone, and requires specialized knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of configurationVSAvoidcomplexity of configuration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical button pressing and manual barcode scanning with gesture-based control captured by a camera. The camera detects hand gestures in the field of view and translates them into scanner commands, eliminating the need for physical buttons and complex sequencing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary gesture recognition system between the user and the scanner. Instead of direct button interaction or barcode scanning, users perform hand gestures that are captured by the camera, processed through gesture recognition algorithms, and translated into scanner commands, simplifying the interaction process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple buttons and configuration options are integrated into the scanner, then the scanner can be configured and programmed, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfigurability of scannerVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the configuration and programming functions from physical buttons and removes them from the scanner hardware. Instead, these functions are implemented through gesture recognition captured by an existing camera, eliminating the need for multiple physical buttons and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the camera serve multiple functions: it captures barcodes for scanning and simultaneously captures hand gestures for configuration and programming. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate buttons and controls, reducing the device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining full configurability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If barcode scanning is used for programming, then the scanner can be programmed, but the process is outdated, tedious, and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming efficiencyVSAvoidaccuracy of programming

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of scanning multiple barcodes in sequence with gesture-based control. Hand gestures are captured by the camera and translated into programming commands, eliminating the tedious and error-prone barcode scanning process while improving programming efficiency and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10354242B2Scanner gesture recognition

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 NCR VOYIX CORP

AI summary

A scanner having an integrated camera is used to capture gestures made in a field of view of the camera. The captured gestures are translated to scanner commands recognized by the scanner. The scanner executes the recognized commands.