Wrist-Worn Barcode Scanner With Camera And Touch Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional barcode scanners in retail stores are bulky, costly, and require skilled operators, leading to inefficiencies in inventory management due to limited availability, slow response times, and complex user interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A wrist-worn barcode scanner with a camera, touch-screen display, and communication interface that captures barcode images, decodes product identity codes, and sends inventory requests to a local server, providing user-friendly navigation and access to inventory data through a scrolling data field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional gun-form factor barcode scanner is used, then scanning functionality is achieved, but the device is bulky, costly, and requires skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms a traditional single-function barcode scanner into a multi-functional wrist-worn device that combines barcode scanning, mobile computing, and inventory management capabilities. The device can scan barcodes, display inventory data, navigate menus, and communicate with servers, replacing multiple dedicated devices with one universal tool that is easier to operate and more versatile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a camera to capture an image of the barcode and processes this optical copy to extract the barcode data. Instead of using a dedicated barcode scanner optical system, the device takes a photograph of the barcode and uses image processing to decode it, simplifying the scanning mechanism while maintaining functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated barcode scanner is deployed, then scanning capability is provided, but the device is unavailable when not in use and requires skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The wrist-worn device serves multiple functions including barcode scanning, inventory data display, menu navigation, and server communication. This multi-functionality ensures the device remains useful and available for various tasks beyond just scanning, increasing its adaptability and reducing the skill barrier as staff can use it for different purposes based on their needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The device includes an on-screen keyboard and touch interface that allows staff to independently input data and navigate menus without requiring trained operators. The system provides visual feedback and guidance through the display, enabling unskilled staff to perform inventory management tasks autonomously.
3Ease of operation
If a wrist-worn scanner is used, then convenience and usability are improved, but the device must integrate multiple functions in a compact form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the barcode scanner, camera, display, processor, and communication modules into a single integrated wrist-worn device. By combining these previously separate components into one compact unit, the device achieves improved convenience and portability while managing the integration complexity through unified hardware and software architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions including optical barcode capture via camera, image processing to extract data, wireless communication with servers, and visual display of inventory information. This multi-functionality in a compact form factor resolves the contradiction by providing convenience without sacrificing essential capabilities.
4Productivity
If traditional scanners are used, then barcode reading is achieved, but response time is slow and functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device captures the barcode image and begins processing it immediately upon acquisition. The system pre-loads inventory data and maintains communication channels with the server ready for quick data retrieval. This preliminary preparation reduces response time when scanning and looking up product information.
Solution Approach 2:
By using a camera to capture the barcode as an image and then processing this copy to extract the data, the system can simultaneously perform image capture and prepare for data retrieval. This approach allows parallel processing operations that improve response speed compared to traditional sequential scanning methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A barcode scanner device 200 is formed as a wrist watch with a main body 210 and strap 220 and includes a camera 211 to capture an image of a barcode 11. The scanner 200 generates an inventory request message sent by a communication interface 215 to a local server 30 based on the captured barcode. In a capture mode, live camera images may be displayed on touch-screen display 212 while capturing the barcode with guides and feedback for the user. In a display mode, inventory data from database 32 may be accessed in a large data field on the touch screen display 212.