Ultrasonic Transducer Spatial Audio Isolation for Self-Checkout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-checkout systems in retail environments often cause customer confusion due to conflicting audible information from multiple systems, leading to a noisy and distracting shopping experience.
Innovation Solution
A self-checkout system utilizing an ultrasonic transducer to create a spatially defined control zone where audible representations are audible only within that zone, using ultrasonic transmissions that are distorted by air properties to ensure the sound is inaudible outside, thereby isolating instructions and feedback to the user interacting with the console.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If audible representations are provided in self-checkout zones, then user guidance and system interaction are improved, but customer confusion and noise levels increase due to overlapping sounds from multiple systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the audible representation spatially selective - the sound is localized to specific three-dimensional spaces around individual consoles. This is achieved through directional acoustic transmission that delivers guidance sounds only to users at specific consoles, while preventing those sounds from interfering with users at adjacent consoles. The acoustic field thus has different properties (audible vs. inaudible) at different locations in space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple self-checkout systems operate in close proximity, then system availability and accessibility are improved, but noise interference and customer confusion worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the acoustic field into separate, non-overlapping spatial zones - each zone corresponds to a specific console and its immediate vicinity. The audible representations are segmented so that each console's guidance sounds are confined to its own designated three-dimensional space. This segmentation allows multiple self-checkout systems to operate simultaneously in close proximity without their audible outputs interfering with one another.
3Ease of operation
If audible instructions are provided to assist users, then ease of console interaction is improved, but the shopping experience deteriorates due to distracting noises from other systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the audible representation spatially selective - the sound is localized to specific three-dimensional spaces around individual consoles. This is achieved through directional acoustic transmission that delivers guidance sounds only to users at specific consoles, while preventing those sounds from interfering with users at adjacent consoles. The acoustic field thus has different properties (audible vs. inaudible) at different locations in space.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces customer confusion and noise levels by ensuring that each user receives relevant information without hearing instructions from other nearby self-checkout systems, enhancing the shopping experience by maintaining a quieter and more focused environment.
Implementation Method 1
an output responsive to the processor for propagating the second signal to provide only in the control zone the audible representation. Preferably the output is an ultrasonic transducer. More preferably the second signal is an inaudible ultrasonic transmission
Implementation Method 2
the transducer outputs this ultrasonic transmission such that inherent properties of air within the control zone distort the ultrasonic transmission to provide the audible representation
Data Source
AI summary
A self-checkout system 1 includes a console 2 for interacting with a user, in the form of consumer 3. This consumer 3 is located within a spatially defined control zone 4 during such interaction. An interface 5 is responsive to console 2 for receiving a first signal 6 indicative of an audible representation 7. A processor 8 is responsive to the signal 6 for selectively defining a second signal, in the form of ultrasonic transmission 9. An output, in the form of an ultrasonic transducer 10, is responsive to processor 8 for propagating transmission 9 to provide only in the control zone 4 audible representation 7. Representation 7 is substantially inaudible outside of zone 4.