System and method for interfacing between a vision checkout system and a self-service checkout terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The interface between vision systems and self-service checkout terminals is challenging due to incompatible application programming interfaces (APIs), leading to issues like protocol incompatibility, data format mismatch, versioning problems, authentication issues, and insufficient documentation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a standardized interface, specifically formatting data as an HTTP PUT message with an XML schema, to enable seamless communication between vision systems and self-service checkout terminals, allowing for automated product recognition, item tracking, and transaction handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom adapters or middleware are developed to bridge incompatible APIs, then communication between vision system and self-service checkout terminal is enabled, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal adapter component that can interface with multiple different vision system APIs and protocols through a single standardized interface to the self-service checkout terminal. This multi-functional adapter eliminates the need for separate custom adapters for each vision system supplier, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary adapter layer that sits between the vision system and the self-service checkout terminal API. This mediator translates and transforms data between different protocols and formats, enabling communication between incompatible systems without requiring changes to either the vision system or the terminal API.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data transformation mechanisms are implemented, then data format mismatch is resolved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary data transformation by pre-defining standardized data schemas and validation rules in the adapter. Data is transformed and validated against these predefined schemas as it enters the system, rather than performing complex real-time transformations during transaction processing, thereby reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data format parameters by converting all incoming vision system data into a standardized internal representation format. This parameter standardization allows for faster processing since the data is already in the expected format when reached by the transaction processing logic, eliminating the need for repeated format conversions.
3Ease of operation
If standardized interface is implemented, then ease of operation and error reduction improve, but adaptability to different vision system suppliers may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interface into two distinct layers: a standardized simplified interface layer for ease of operation, and an adapter translation layer for handling supplier-specific protocols. This segmentation allows the user-facing interface to remain simple and standardized while the backend adapter handles the complexity of different suppliers' protocols transparently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary adapter that translates between various supplier-specific protocols and the standardized interface. This mediator maintains supplier compatibility by understanding multiple protocols while presenting a unified standardized interface to the self-service checkout terminal, thus preserving both ease of operation and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-service checkout system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions. The executable instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving a message from a vision system that includes a list of identified items on a tray positioned adjacent to the vision system for a current transaction and one or more issues related to an identification of the items on the tray, processing the message to identify the one or more issues related to the identification of the items on the tray, providing a user interface for a customer to correct the one or more issues related to the identification of the items on the tray, and completing the current transaction once the issues related to the identification of the items on the tray are corrected.