Product Scanner Imaging for Not-on-file Pricing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Item-not-on-file events at checkout cause inefficiencies and inaccuracies in pricing, leading to delays and potential shrinkage due to manual price lookups and incorrect pricing inputs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses product scanners with imaging capabilities to capture images of items with undetectable identifiers, transmitting these images and identifiers to a network location for further action, enabling automated price updates and reducing manual interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual price lookup is performed by store associate, then pricing accuracy is improved, but checkout time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images of items at the point of scanning failure, performing the price lookup preparation work in advance. The image and item identifier are transmitted to a network location before the customer completes checkout, so that when pricing information is needed, it is already available or being retrieved simultaneously with the transaction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an imaging device and network transmission system as intermediaries between the scanner and the pricing database. Instead of direct manual lookup, the system uses image capture, network transmission, and automated processing as intermediary steps to bridge the gap between scanning failure and pricing resolution.
2Productivity
If manual price input is performed by clerk, then checkout speed is improved, but pricing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the imaging device and network system to automatically perform the price lookup function. The item image and identifier are automatically transmitted and processed without requiring clerk intervention, making the system serve itself in obtaining pricing information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of price input with an automated imaging and network-based system. Instead of clerks manually entering prices, the system uses optical imaging, digital transmission, and automated database querying to obtain pricing information.
3Reliability
If item identifier is not in database, then data integrity is maintained, but system efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the item image and identifier from the scanning process when a mismatch occurs, separating this information retrieval function from the main transaction flow. This extracted information is then transmitted independently to the network location for processing, allowing the main checkout process to continue while pricing information is obtained separately.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, and data structures for product identifier not-on-file imaging system and processing. Some such embodiments include solutions that automate capturing and communicating images of imaged items for which an item identifier (e.g., UPC, DIGIMARC) cannot be located to facilitate correction and updating of product lookup databases to remove inefficiencies and sub-optimal experiences and realization at checkout. One such embodiment in the form of a method includes delivering, to a product pricing update location, an image of an item presented to a product scanner for scanning upon an occurrence of an item-not-on-file event indicating an unsuccessful price lookup database query performed with regard to an item identifier read by the product scanner from the presented item.