Self-checkout method and system thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-checkout systems face inefficiencies due to the need for barcode alignment and high costs associated with RFID tags, leading to increased checkout time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A self-checkout system utilizing an image recognition method that performs a first recognition process to identify products and a second process for positioning products when recognition fails, with an indicating light to label unrecognizable products and control the conveyor belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If barcode scanner is used to read product information, then product information can be obtained, but checkout time is extended due to the need for barcode alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical barcode scanning process with an image recognition system using cameras and computer vision algorithms. Instead of requiring manual barcode alignment and scanning, the system captures images of products on the conveyor belt and automatically identifies them through image processing, thereby eliminating the time-consuming alignment step while maintaining accurate product information retrieval
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary image capture and processing by continuously monitoring products on the conveyor belt before they reach the checkout point. The image recognition system pre-identifies products and prepares their information, so that when checkout is needed, the information is already ready, significantly reducing the actual checkout time
2Productivity
If RFID tags are equipped on each product to enable simultaneous reading, then multiple product information can be read at once, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical copying through image capture instead of physical RFID tags. The camera system captures visual information of products, and image recognition algorithms extract product identifiers from these images. This approach achieves simultaneous multi-product reading capability without requiring expensive RFID hardware on each product, thereby maintaining high productivity while avoiding significant cost increases
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces expensive, permanent RFID tags with a cheaper, non-contact optical recognition approach. Instead of equipping each product with costly electronic tags, the system uses standard cameras and image processing to achieve the same functionality at a fraction of the cost, making the solution economically viable for widespread implementation
3Loss of information
If conventional barcode scanner is used, then product information can be read, but user convenience is reduced when barcode cannot be correctly read
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the contact-based barcode scanning mechanism with a non-contact image recognition system. Instead of requiring users to manually align and scan barcodes, which can fail due to damage or poor positioning, the system uses cameras to capture and recognize product images automatically, providing a more robust and user-friendly experience that works with damaged or hard-to-scan barcodes
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically identifying products without requiring user intervention for barcode alignment or scanning. The image recognition system autonomously captures product images, processes them, and retrieves information, freeing users from the manual operations that cause inconvenience when barcodes cannot be read
Data Source
AI summary
A self-checkout method includes an image recognizing system performing a first recognition process on at least a product placed on a checkout conveyor to obtain an item information corresponding to the at least a product from a product database; performing a second recognition process for positioning a first product of the at least a product to determine a position of the first product relative to the checkout conveyor when the image recognizing system fails to recognize the first product based on the first recognition process; controlling an indicating light to markedly label the first product when the position of the first product is determined, and stopping running the checkout conveyor; and resuming running the checkout conveyor after the first product is removed or when no product cannot be recognized by the first recognition process.