Shopping receptacle with in-built scanner

• US 20040252025A1
• Filed: 04/02/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,506,808 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0321 by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet constructional details of pen-shaped pointing devices G06F3/03545, G06F3/03542, G06F3/037
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10554 Moving beam scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10623 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10693 for omnidirectional scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10772 Moved readers, e.g. pen, wand
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0259 based on store location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/20 for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/59 by controlling the amount of charge storable in the pixel, e.g. modification of the charge conversion ratio of the floating node capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/671 : for non-uniformity detection or correction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/745 : Circuitry for generating timing or clock signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/75 : Circuitry for providing, modifying or processing image signals from the pixel array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/767 : Horizontal readout lines, multiplexers or registers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/77 : Pixel circuitry, e.g. memories, A/D converters, pixel amplifiers, shared circuits or shared components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/778 : comprising amplifiers shared between a plurality of pixels, i.e. at least one part of the amplifier must be on the sensor array itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/7795 : Circuitry for generating timing or clock signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/78 : Readout circuits for addressed sensors, e.g. output amplifiers or A/D converters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 3/1568 : for disturbance correction or prevention within the image-sensor, e.g. biasing, blooming, smearing correction circuits H04N25/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 : Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

A shopping receptacle, the shopping receptacle being adapted to receive and retain a product item, the product item having an interface surface associated therewith, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the product item, wherein the receptacle comprises:

(a) a receptacle body adapted to receive and retain the product item and having an opening through which the product item may be placed within the receptacle body; and,

(b) a sensing device adapted to:

(i) emit at least one scanning beam across the opening of the receptacle body;

(ii) sense at least one coded data portion on the interface surface of the product item as the product item is positioned in the receptacle opening; and

(iii) generate, using the at least one sensed coded data portion, indicating data indicative of the identity of the product item.

Claims

1. ) A shopping receptacle, the shopping receptacle being adapted to receive and retain a product item, the product item having an interface surface associated therewith, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the product item, wherein the receptacle comprises:

(a) a receptacle body adapted to receive and retain the product item and having an opening through which the product item may be placed within the receptacle body; and

,

(b) a sensing device adapted to;

(i) emit at least one scanning beam across the opening of the receptacle body;

(ii) sense at least one coded data portion on the interface surface of the product item as the product item is positioned in the receptacle opening; and

(iii) generate, using the at least one sensed coded data portion, indicating data indicative of the identity of the product item.

2. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the sensing device comprises:

(a) a laser for emitting the at least one scanning beam, the scanning beam being directed in first and second orthogonal directions to thereby generate a raster scan pattern over a scanning patch, the scanning patch being provided in the sensing region such that it exposes at least one coded data portion;

(b) a sensor for sensing the at least one exposed coded data portion; and

(c) a processor for determining, using at least some of the sensed coded data, indicating data indicative of the identity of the product item.

3. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the sensing device transfers the indicating data to a computer system adapted to:

(a) receive the indicating data;

(b) generate, using the indicating data, product identity data indicative of the identity of the product item; and

,

(c) perform, using the identity data, an action.

4. ) The receptacle of claim 3, wherein the receptacle includes a communication system for transferring data to the computer system.

5. ) The receptacle of claim 3, wherein the receptacle includes at least part of the computer system.

6. ) The receptacle of claim 3, wherein the computer is adapted to:

(a) associate the sensing device with the user; and

,

(b) dissociate the sensing device and the user.

7. ) The receptacle of claim 6, wherein the computer system is adapted to, using the indicating data, add an indication of the product item to a product item list.

8. ) The receptacle of claim 7, wherein the computer system is adapted to, in response to dissociation, provide the product item list to the user.

9. ) The receptacle of claim 6, wherein the computer system is adapted to:

(a) receive user identity data indicative of an identity of the user;

(b) determine, using the indicating data, sensing device identity data indicative of an identity of the sensing device; and

,

(c) use the sensing device identity data and the user identity data to associate the sensing device with the user.

10. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the user is provided with an identity card, the identity card having disposed thereon or therein coded data having a plurality of card coded data portions, each card coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the user, and wherein the sensing device is adapted to:

(a) sense at least one card coded data portion when the identity card is positioned in the opening; and

,

(b) generate, using the at least one sensed card coded data portion, indicating data indicative of the identity of the user and the identity of the sensing device.

11. ) The receptacle of claim 10, wherein a computer system is adapted to:

(a) receive indicating data from the sensing device;

(b) determine, using the received indicating data, product information; and

,

(c) transfer the product information to the receptacle, the receptacle being responsive to the product information to display the product information to the user on a display.

12. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the sensing device is adapted to:

(a) select an interaction mode; and

,

(b) generate indicating data indicative of the selected interaction mode.

13. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is at least one of:

(a) a shopping trolley;

(b) a shopping cart; and

,

(c) a shopping basket.

14. ) The receptacle of claim 3, wherein the action includes at least one of:

(a) providing product information about the product item to the user;

(b) recording a purchase transaction indicating that the user has purchased the product item;

(c) recording a potential purchase transaction indicating that the user wishes to purchase the product item;

(d) providing comparison information to the user, the comparison information comparing product information about the product item with product information about another product item;

(e) playing a game associated with the product item; and

(f) conducting a competition in relation to the product item.

15. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the coded data is indicative of an EPC associated with the product item.

16. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the coded data distinguishes the product item from every other product item.

17. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the coded data is redundantly encoded.

18. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the coded data is redundantly encoded using Reed-Solomon encoding.

19. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the coded data is substantially invisible to the unaided eye.

20. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the coded data is printed using infrared ink.

21. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the coded data is provided on the interface surface coincident with visible markings representing at least one of:

(a) product information; and

,

(b) the identity of the product item.

22. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the interface surface is at least a portion of at least one of:

(a) product item packaging;

(b) product item labelling;

(c) product manuals;

(d) product instructions; and

,

(e) a surface of the product item.

23. ) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the coded data is disposed over at least one of:

(a) substantially all of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

(b) more than 25% of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

(c) more than 50% of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

(d) more than 75% of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

24. ) A method of facilitating interaction between a user and a computer system using a shopping receptacle adapted to receive and retain a product item, the product item having an interface surface associated therewith, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of the identity of the product item, wherein the method includes:

(a) positioning the product item in an opening of a receptacle body which is adapted to receive and retain the product item; and

,

(b) in a sensing device;

(i) sensing at least one coded data portion on the interface surface of the product item as the product item is positioned in the receptacle opening; and

(ii) generating, using the at least one sensed coded data portion, indicating data indicative of the identity of the product item; and

,

(iii) transferring the indicating data to a computer system.

25. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving the indicating data;

(b) determining, using the indicating data, product identity data indicative of the identity of the product item; and

,

(c) performing, using the identity data, an action.

26. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) associating the sensing device with the user; and

,

(b) dissociating the sensing device and the user.

27. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the method includes, in the computer system, using, the indicating data, add an indication of the product item to a product item list.

28. ) The method of claim 27, wherein the method includes, in the computer system provide the product item list to the user.

29. ) The method of claim 26, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving user identity data indicative of an identity of the user;

(b) determining, using the indicating data, sensing device identity data indicative of an identity of the sensing device; and

,

(c) using the sensing device identity data and the user identity data to associate the sensing device with the user.

30. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the user is provided with an identity card, the identity card having disposed thereon or therein coded data having a plurality of card coded data portions, each card coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the user, and wherein the method includes, in the sensing device:

(a) sensing at least one card coded data portion when the identity card is positioned in the opening; and

,

(b) generating, using the at least one sensed card coded data portion, indicating data indicative of the identity of the user and the identity of the sensing device.

31. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving indicating data from the sensing device;

(b) determining, using the received indicating data, product information; and

,

(c) transferring the product information to the receptacle, the receptacle being responsive to the product information to display the product information to the user on a display.

32. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the method includes, in the receptacle:

(a) selecting an interaction mode; and

,

(b) generating indicating data indicative of the selected interaction mode.

33. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the method includes displaying information relating to any one of the product'"'"'s:

(a) cost;

(b) contents;

(c) weight;

(d) place of origin;

(e) manufacturer;

(f) date of manufacture;

(g) date of packaging;

(h) use-by date;

(i) current owner; and

(j) dimensions.

34. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the method includes at least one of:

(a) providing product information about the product item to the user;

(b) recording a purchase transaction indicating that the user has purchased the product item;

(c) recording a potential purchase transaction indicating that the user wishes to purchase the product item;

(d) providing comparison information to the user, the comparison information comparing product information about the product item with product information about another product item;

(e) playing a game associated with the product item; and

(f) conducting a competition in relation to the product item.

35. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the coded data is indicative of an EPC associated with the product item.

36. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the coded data distinguishes the product item from every other product item.

37. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the coded data is redundantly encoded.

38. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the coded data is redundantly encoded using Reed-Solomon encoding.

39. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the coded data is substantially invisible to the unaided eye.

40. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the coded is printed using infrared ink.

41. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the coded data is provided on the interface surface coincident with visible markings representing at least one of:

(a) product information; and

,

(b) the identity of the product item.

42. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the interface surface is at least a portion of at least one of:

(a) product item packaging;

(b) product item labelling;

(c) product manuals;

(d) product instructions; and

,

(e) a surface of the product item.

43. ) The method of claim 24, wherein the coded data is disposed over at least one of:

(a) substantially all of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

(b) more than 25% of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

(c) more than 50% of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

(d) more than 75% of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;