Shopping Cart Scanner System for Automatic Item Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current self-checkout systems require customers to manually scan each item as they are placed in a shopping cart, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies, as they need to physically interact with scanners or use mobile devices at self-checkout stations.
Innovation Solution
A shopping cart with a built-in scanner system that includes a scanner support structure and an electronic scanner, light, and microcomputer, which automatically scans items placed in the cart, eliminating the need for customer input and enabling seamless product information collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If customers manually scan each item using handheld scanners or mobile devices at self-checkout stations, then product information can be collected, but errors occur and the process requires customer input which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The shopping cart scanner system enables the cart itself to automatically scan items without customer intervention. The scanner is mounted on the cart and automatically detects items as they are placed in the cart, eliminating the need for customers to manually scan each item with handheld devices or mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner is pre-mounted on the shopping cart in a fixed position, and the system is prepared in advance to automatically scan items. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for customers to learn or perform scanning operations during shopping.
2Measurement precision
If fixed checkout stations with scanners are used, then product information is collected accurately, but customers must visit these stations which reduces shopping efficiency and convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning function is moved from the traditional horizontal dimension of fixed checkout stations to a new spatial dimension mounted on the mobile shopping cart. This allows scanning to occur throughout the shopping area rather than requiring customers to return to a specific location for checkout.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner system transitions from a static fixed checkout station to a dynamic mobile system attached to the shopping cart. This enables the scanning capability to move with the customer throughout the store, eliminating the need to return to a fixed checkout location.
3Productivity
If a scanner is mounted to the shopping cart for automatic scanning, then customer input is eliminated and efficiency is improved, but the scanner support structure must be mechanically designed to hold the scanner and related items
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner support structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it mechanically supports the scanner, provides mounting for related electronic components, and integrates with the shopping cart structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate support structures for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner, electronic components, and support structure are merged into a single integrated assembly that attaches to the shopping cart. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall system while maintaining scanning functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a shopping cart with a scanner system that is used by customers of a retail store to collect and scan items to be purchased. The shopping cart with scanner system includes a shopping cart, a scanner support structure, and a scanner. Items to be purchased are placed in the shopping cart, where they are automatically scanned by the scanner system. The scanner support structure includes a base bar, an extension bar, and a scanner support bar. The base bar and extension bar are coupled to each other and to a shopping basket of the shopping cart. The scanner support bar holds the scanner and related electronic devices, and is supported above the shopping cart basket by the base bar and the extension bar.