Voice-Assisted Barcode Scanning for Accurate Item Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice input systems struggle with accurately identifying items that are difficult to describe precisely, and barcode scanners face challenges in situations where packaging is unavailable or multiple units or similar items need to be added.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines voice input with scanned product identifiers, such as barcodes, using automatic speech recognition and natural language understanding to improve item identification and user intent determination, allowing for enhanced user interaction and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice input systems are used to identify products, then user convenience is improved, but accuracy in identifying difficult-to-describe items deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines voice input technology with barcode scanning technology into a unified system. The voice module handles user commands and queries, while the barcode scanning module handles precise item identification. This merging allows the system to leverage the convenience of voice input while maintaining the accuracy of barcode scanning for product identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a camera as an intermediary component that captures images of product barcodes. The camera acts as a bridge between the physical product and the digital identification system, enabling accurate item recognition even when voice descriptions are ambiguous or insufficient.
2Measurement precision
If barcode scanners are used to identify products, then identification accuracy is improved, but usability in situations without packaging deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to perform multiple functions: voice-based product search, barcode scanning, camera-based image capture, and web browsing. This multi-functionality ensures that the system can operate effectively whether the user has physical packaging with barcodes or needs to search for products using voice commands and visual references from the web.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-loads product information and images from the web before the user needs them. When a user makes a voice request or scans a barcode, the system can quickly retrieve and display relevant product images and details, reducing wait time and improving the overall user experience.
3Ease of operation
If voice input is used to describe products, then user interaction simplicity is improved, but reliability in precise item identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback through the camera display and web browser, showing users the products being searched for or identified. This feedback mechanism allows users to verify that the system has correctly interpreted their voice commands or barcode scans, and to make corrections if needed, thereby improving identification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of voice recognition with visual display technologies creates a hybrid interaction model. Users can speak naturally to initiate searches, and the system complements this with visual confirmation through camera feeds and web results, ensuring reliable item identification even when voice input alone might be ambiguous.
4Measurement precision
If barcode scanning is used, then product identification precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the device's existing camera hardware for barcode scanning, eliminating the need for separate barcode scanner components. The camera automatically captures images, and software algorithms handle barcode recognition and product identification, allowing the device to serve its own scanning needs without additional specialized hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
In some cases, a handheld device that includes a microphone and a scanner may be used for voice-assisted scanning. For example, a user may provide a voice input via the microphone and may activate the scanner to scan an item identifier (e.g., a barcode). The handheld device may communicate voice data and item identifier information to a remote system for voice-assisted scanning. The remote system may perform automatic speech recognition (ASR) operations on the voice data and may perform item identification operations based on the scanned identifier. Natural language understanding (NLU) processing may be improved by combining ASR information with item information obtained based on the scanned identifier. An action may be executed based on the likely user intent.