Scanner Projected Human Interface Virtual Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional barcode scanner/scales require costly hardware elements for human interface, which are difficult to maintain and service, as they are duplicated in both the scanner/scale and the POS touch screen, leading to inefficiencies and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A projected scanner human interface is generated as a selectable option within a scanner window, rendered on the POS display, using software to replicate the functions of missing hardware controls, such as buttons and lights, allowing for a virtual interface that is always accessible and customizable, with priority over POS application software windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware interface elements (buttons, lights) are manufactured within the scanner/scale, then the scanner can operate independently with its own controls, but the manufacturing cost increases and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the hardware interface elements by projecting images of buttons and lights onto the POS display screen. This virtual interface replicates the functionality of physical controls without requiring physical manufacturing of duplicate hardware elements in the scanner device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical interface system with an optical/electronic system. Instead of physical buttons and lights in the scanner, the system uses projected visual elements on the POS display that respond to touch input, substituting mechanical controls with a software-based interface.
2Ease of operation
If hardware interface elements are manufactured within the scanner/scale, then the scanner has dedicated controls, but the maintenance and servicing difficulty increases when elements malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual interface elements on the POS display serve as copies of the physical controls, providing the same operational functionality. When issues arise, the software-based interface can be updated or reset without physical repair, unlike embedded hardware elements that require component-level maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The POS display serves multiple functions: it displays transaction information and simultaneously provides the scanner control interface. This universal use of a single device (the POS terminal) eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware controls in the scanner, simplifying maintenance by consolidating controls into one maintainable system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate hardware elements are used in scanner and POS, then each device has independent controls, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scanner control interface with the POS display by projecting the interface elements onto the existing POS screen. This consolidation combines what would otherwise be separate control systems into a unified interface, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining scanner functionality through the integrated touch interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Hardware controls associated with features of a scanner are removed, and a combined scanner and transaction terminal is provided without the hardware controls. Operations associated with the removed hardware controls are graphically depicted as selectable window options within scanner-generated windows. The scanner generated windows are provided as a projected human interface for the missing hardware controls. The projected human interface is provided with and accessible from a display that includes transaction windows produced by transaction software of the transaction terminal, such that the selectable window options are always accessible from the display during transaction processing performed by the transaction software.