Monitoring device, payment system including a monitoring device, and control method for a monitoring device

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Solution Overview

Problem

In self-service POS terminals, customers often leave personal belongings or products behind, leading to difficulties for employees to detect and collect lost articles, which can disrupt operations.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring device equipped with a camera and processor that captures and analyzes images of the payment area, detects articles left behind, measures the time they are left, and notifies staff if they exceed a threshold, ensuring timely collection of lost items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If employees manually monitor the payment apparatus for lost articles, then they can collect lost items, but they are often unaware of the lost articles due to the large monitoring area and lack of time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capability of lost articlesVSAvoidtime for employees to monitor and collect lost articles
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual monitoring system with an automated image recognition system. Cameras capture images of the payment apparatus surface, and an image recognition unit automatically detects lost articles in these images, substituting human visual inspection with automated optical detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-monitoring through automated detection. The image recognition unit independently identifies lost articles without requiring employee intervention, and the notification unit automatically alerts relevant personnel when lost articles are detected, making the monitoring process self-sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If the payment apparatus is designed for full self-service operation, then labor costs are reduced and infection prevention is improved, but customers may leave personal belongings or products behind that employees cannot及时发现

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-service capability of payment apparatusVSAvoidinformation about lost articles on payment apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a feedback loop where cameras continuously capture images of the payment apparatus, the image recognition unit analyzes these images to detect lost articles, and the notification unit provides feedback by alerting employees when lost articles are found, creating a closed-loop information system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of lost articles before employees need to collect them. By continuously monitoring the payment apparatus surface and detecting lost articles in advance, the system prepares information about lost items before employee intervention is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240104541A1Monitoring device, payment system including a monitoring device, and control method for a monitoring device
Publication Date: 2024.03.28 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • US20240104541A1 patent drawing
  • US20240104541A1 patent drawing
  • US20240104541A1 patent drawing

AI summary

In accordance with an embodiment, a monitoring device acquires image data of an image of an imaging area including at least a placement portion for placing a purchased product of a payment apparatus including the placement portion. The monitoring device detects an article placed on the placement portion on the basis of the acquired image data, and measures a time period during which the detected article is left in the same place. The monitoring device notifies, where the measured time period exceeds a threshold value, that there is a lost article.