CA2088894A1 - Shopping cart check-out monitoring system - Google Patents
Shopping cart check-out monitoring systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2088894A1 CA2088894A1 CA 2088894 CA2088894A CA2088894A1 CA 2088894 A1 CA2088894 A1 CA 2088894A1 CA 2088894 CA2088894 CA 2088894 CA 2088894 A CA2088894 A CA 2088894A CA 2088894 A1 CA2088894 A1 CA 2088894A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shopping cart
- triggering
- detecting
- aisle
- area
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/14—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
- B62B3/1488—Indicating or preventing transport of goods under the basket
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F9/00—Shop, bar, bank or like counters
- A47F9/02—Paying counters
- A47F9/04—Check-out counters, e.g. for self-service stores
- A47F9/045—Handling of baskets or shopping trolleys at check-out counters, e.g. unloading, checking
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G3/00—Alarm indicators, e.g. bells
- G07G3/003—Anti-theft control
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an object detection system and device for detecting objects located on storage sections, and in particular a lower storage section, of a moving shopping cart. The system and device comprise a detecting means which detects objects on the storage sections of shopping carts when the shopping cart moves into a predetermined position. The detecting means generates a detection signal if an object is detected. The detecting means operates in response to a trigger signal which is sent from a triggering means. The triggering means is operable to sense at least two parts of the shopping cart when the shopping cart moves into the predetermined position. The triggering means sends the trigger signal when it senses the two parts of the shopping cart substantially simultaneously.
This invention relates to an object detection system and device for detecting objects located on storage sections, and in particular a lower storage section, of a moving shopping cart. The system and device comprise a detecting means which detects objects on the storage sections of shopping carts when the shopping cart moves into a predetermined position. The detecting means generates a detection signal if an object is detected. The detecting means operates in response to a trigger signal which is sent from a triggering means. The triggering means is operable to sense at least two parts of the shopping cart when the shopping cart moves into the predetermined position. The triggering means sends the trigger signal when it senses the two parts of the shopping cart substantially simultaneously.
Description
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~ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
L` ~ This invention relates to an object detection ::............. system and device, and in particular, to a system and device ' for deterting the presence of objects in a storage area of a : ,...
shopping cart.
Shopping carts used in supermarkets generally have storage areas for storing goods which are to be purchased or which have been purchased and are being transported to the exit or parking lot. Shopping carts generally have an upper storage area and a lower storage area located under the upper storage area. The lower storage area is typically used to hold large or heavy items and generally comprises a tray of some kind for easy placement and removal of large and/or heavy items.
One difficulty with shopping carts in general is that as a consumer takes the shopping cart through the checkout aisle, either through inadvertence or -i~,' intentionally, not all of the goods in the storage areas, particularly the lower storage area, of the shopping cart are brought to the cashier's atten$ionO Accordingly, this i leads to some goods not being paid for and the supermarket or grocery store suffering a loss.
In the past, several devices or systems have been used to attempt to de$ect the presence of objects in the storage areas of shopping cartsO In order to accomplish this, some prior art devices have utilized the fact that the ~ .
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: ?`
~ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
L` ~ This invention relates to an object detection ::............. system and device, and in particular, to a system and device ' for deterting the presence of objects in a storage area of a : ,...
shopping cart.
Shopping carts used in supermarkets generally have storage areas for storing goods which are to be purchased or which have been purchased and are being transported to the exit or parking lot. Shopping carts generally have an upper storage area and a lower storage area located under the upper storage area. The lower storage area is typically used to hold large or heavy items and generally comprises a tray of some kind for easy placement and removal of large and/or heavy items.
One difficulty with shopping carts in general is that as a consumer takes the shopping cart through the checkout aisle, either through inadvertence or -i~,' intentionally, not all of the goods in the storage areas, particularly the lower storage area, of the shopping cart are brought to the cashier's atten$ionO Accordingly, this i leads to some goods not being paid for and the supermarket or grocery store suffering a loss.
In the past, several devices or systems have been used to attempt to de$ect the presence of objects in the storage areas of shopping cartsO In order to accomplish this, some prior art devices have utilized the fact that the ~ .
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. ~, . weight of objects located in the storage sections, and in . ~ ~
particular the lower storage section, deflects the tray '~ which forms the lower storage section. These prior art , .
~ devices utilized devices, such as reflectors, attached to .
the lower section tray such khat a deflection of the lower tray caused by the weight o~ the object located thereon would move the reflector and be noticed by a sensor located ~, ~ ! at the checkout counter.
f~'~
~1 Other prior art devices have detected objects on shopping carts by scanning the storage sections of the ~x2 i shopping carts. However, these prior art devices also required that a triggering device, such a reflector, be ?./P~
applied to each and every shopping cart belonging to a grocery store or supermarket. The reflector in these prior i, art devices served essentially two functions. Firstly, the reflector permitted these prior art devices to distinguish i, .1 between shopping carts and other items, such as baby ~-, strollers and people, passing in front of the prior art ~ devices. This prevented the prior device from scanning -j` objects other than shopping carts and thereby creating false ,~
~) readings if objects other than goods were detected.
Secondly, the reflector permitted the prior art devices to ~, initiate scanning of the shopping cart at the proper time, ,: l : namely when the shopping cart was properly oriented in front '~2~ of the scanning device~ Furthermore, in some prior art devices, the reflector even helped determine the duration of the scan.
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-~ It is apparent that if a monitoring system requires i re~lectors, or other devices to be placed on each and every shopping cart belonging to a grocery store in order for the ~;; monitoring systems to operate, there would be substantial labour and material cost involved in implementing and installing these prior art devices in a grocery store.
Furthermore, any changes made to the shopping carts would be readily apparent to consumers. Accordingly, if it is the ~i~ intention of a consumer to leave the supermarket or grocery r' ~
store without paying for certain goods, the consumer could . attempt to defeat the detection system once the consumer is ~ alerted to its presence~
i~
~, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.
Accordingly, it is an object of this inventisn to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is an object of this invention to provide an ~,~
alternative typa of object detection device which can distinguish between a shopping cart (and similar devices) and other items or articles. It is also an objeict of this invention to provide an object detection system which can distinguish shopping carts from other items, such as baby ' strollers and people, without the need to place any type of device, such as a reflector, on the shopping carts of the grocery store or otherwise alter the shopping carts of a ~rg ~ supermarket or grocery store.
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~; Accordingly/ in one of its broad aspects, this ~-~. invention resides in providing an object detection device for detecting objects on a storage section of a moviny shopping cart comprising triggering means operable to detect at least two parts of the shopping cart when the shopping cart moves lnto a predetermined position and to send a trigger signal when the at least two parts of the shopping cart are sensed substantially simultaneously, a detecting means for detecting an object on the stora~e section of the shopping cart when the shopping cart moves into the .~` i . predetermined position and operable to receive the trigger . ,.;
signal and wherein the detecting ~eans operates in response to the trigger signal and generates a detection signal if an -:. object is detected.
Another aspect of the invention resides in providing an object detection system for detecting objects ; .
on a storage section of a moving shopping cart comprising a triggering means comprising a first triggering detector operable to detect a first part of the shopping cart entering a first area and a second triggering detector ?' .:, , opPrable to detect a second part of the shopping cart entering a second area spatially separated from the first ~;. ' area, a detecting means for detecting an object on the .~.s :.
storage section of the shopping cart, wherein when the ~,...
triggering means detects tha the first part of the shopping ~:. cart is entering the first area at substantially the same ~:~`"
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~;,; time as the second part o~? the shopping cart is entering the second area the triggering means causes the detecting means to operate and wherein the detecting means generates a detection signal if the detecting means detects an object.
Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and ~`i, the drawings which illustrate the invention and prePerred ~:.,J' embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of ~`
the invention:
Figures lA, lB and lC show side views of a shopping ~i i .,:
cart and a schematic representation of one embodiment of the present invention;
?, Figure 2 is a side view of a shopping cart (i:~ 'I
~j~, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present ., .
~ invention;
. . .
~; Figure 3 is a top view of a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a ~ront view of one embodiment of the ~ present invention; and '~ Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of ~ the present invention.
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~., DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PR~FERRED EMBODIMENTS
OF THE INVENTION
As shown in Figure lA, the present invention, in one embodiment, comprises the device lo. The device 10 has a triggering means 20 which is operable to send a trigger signal St. The device 10 further comprises a detecting means 26 for detecting an object 28 on a storage section 14 of a shopping cart 12. (It is underætood that the term shopping cart 12 in this context refers specifically to a ii ., .,3 shopping cart as used in a grocery store or supermarket but ~3 can include other vehicles or devices used to store and ` transport objects and goods.) The detecting means 26 isalso operable to generate a detection signal Sd if an object is detected.
Figure lB shows the shopping cart 12 in dotted A lines at a predetermined position 24. The triggeriny means 20 is operable to detect at least two parts of the shopping cart (shown generally in Figure lA and lB as 22A and 22B) ~,.
3j when the shopping cart 12 moves into the predetermined j position 24. The triggering means 20 sends the trigger signal S~ when the two parts 22A and 22B of the shopping cart 12 are sensed substantially simultaneously.
It should be noted that the at least two parts that trigger the triggering means 20 could be any two parts of .... ~ .
the shopping cart 12. It lS further understood that there could be more than two parts that trigger the triggering means 20, such as three parts, four parts or more.
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..~3 The triggering means 20 is operable to sense or detect the at least two parts 22A, 22B o~ the shopping cart 12 in order to distinguish the shopping cart 12 from other ~.' ~ items or articles which may pass in front o~ the detection r~.$
device ~0. Such other articles or items could be baby carriages, strollers, or people walking in front of the device 10. The possibility that these other articles or ,7,,.`'',~, items could pass in front of the triggering means 20 such ~-~ that two parts of these other articles or items would be in ~- a position with regards to the triggering means 20 to fool ,... .
the triggering means 20 are relatively low. In this way, the device 10 decreases thP number of false readings caused ,,1,~,...
~ by the device 10 being incorrectly triggered by one of these , .. .
other articles or items and having the detecting means 26 detect objects other than objects 28 on a storage section 14 of a shopping cart 12. Therefore sensing at least two parts 22A, 22B, rather than just one part of the shopping cart 12, increases the reliability of the device 10 by decreasing the chances that other objects or articles could falsely trigger ?~ h the trigger means 20.
It is typical that all or most of the shopping ~7 carts 12 which belong to a particular supermarket or grocery store where the device 10 is installed are of the same general design. The detecting means 26 will not operate to detect objects 28 in storage areas 14 of shopping carts 12 which do not have at least two parts 22A and 22B located in ~ ''I
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positions which can be detected by the trigger means 20 when the shopping carts 12 are in the predetermined positionO
Accordingly, the specific settings and dimension~ of the 1.``'~' ' `
device 10 must be customized for the particular shopping carts 12 used by each supermarket or grocery stores in which . the device 10 is installed.
.~- In instances wherle two substantially similar shopping carts 12 are used by a grocery store, similarly ~,. ;, ~;~ located parts of the two different shopping carts, such as the wheels, could be used as the at least two parts 22A, 22B. Alternatively, a first triggering means could be -~ utilized to detect the at least two parts of a first type of ~` shopping cart 12 and a second triggering means could be .. .-. ~, utilized to detect at least two parts of the second type of shopping cart.
Alternatively, parts could be added to different sized shopping carts so as to simulate the two parts 22A and 22B of shopping cart 12.
. ~, : It is also preferable that no other two parts of ,,:``
the shopping cart lZ could also be in a position with regard to the triggering means 20 as the at least two parts 22A, 5~ 22B when the shopping cart 12 moves across the device 10 thereby fooling the triggering means 20 into generating a false trigger signal Stfo To this end, it is preferable that the at least two parts 22A, 22B of the shopping cart 12 are unique in that the sensing of those at least two parts ..;,, , .~
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22A, 22B, and only those at least two par~s 22A, 22B, will cause the tri~gering means 20 to send the trigger signal Sto Re~erence is made to Figure lC which shows the two u: .
parts 22A, 22B of the shopping cart 12 as being two sections of the front support of the upper storage area 18. While the present invention can operate if the at least two parts 22A, 22B are as shown in Figure lC, these parts 22A, 22B are not unique in that two other parts (shown generally as 23A
and 23B in Figure lC as the rear support ~or the upper storage area 18) will be in a similar position with regard to the triggering means 20 as the two parts 22A, 22B at some time when the shopping cart 12 moves across the device 10.
Therefore, i~ the two parts 22A, 22B o~ the shopping cart 12 are as shown in Figure lC, it is possible that the triggering means 20 will mistakenly sense the two othar parts 23A and 23B and send a false trigger signal St~o If the trigger means 20 does mistake the two other parts 23A
and 23B as the two parts 22A and 22B ar.d send a false trigger signal S~f, it is possible that the detection means 26 will send a false detection signal Sdf if the detecting mean~ 26 detects an o~ject. Accordingly, the at least two parts 22A, 22B should be unique.
In a further embodiment, shown generally in Figure 2, the two parts 22A, 22B of the shopping cart 12 which are sensed by the triggering means 20 are a front wheel 40 and a ~ :
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.;'~!,~, ,.' ~"` "' -- 1 0 ', .~' ~''~`"'~' .~ ~ rear wheel 42. Depending on the nature of the triggering means 20, the front wheel 40 which is sensed could be a ~: front wheel 40 on either sicle of the shopping cart 12, or `-` only a front wheel on a particular side of the shopping cart 1 12. Likewise, the rear wheel 22 sensed by the triggering ;
means 20 could be a rear wheel 42 on either side of the shopping cart 12, or a rear wheel 42 on a particular side of the shopping cart 12. Preferably, the front wheel 40 and the rear wheel 42 on the side closest to the trigger means 20 are the parts 22A and 22B.
The triggering means 20 can comprise any type of sensor or detector, such as a photodetector or a tactile sensor, to effect the sensing or detection of the at least two parts 22A, 22B of the shopping cart 12. In the case of a tactile sensor, two tactile sensors could be placed across an aisle to sense the front and rear wheels 40, 42 of the shopping cart 12 as the cart 12 is moved past the tactile sensors.
It is also understood that the present invention could be adopted to detect objects on any of a number of different storage sections 14, such us the lower storage section 16 or the upper storage section 18, or both, depending on the detecting means 26 used. However, it is preferable if the detecting means 26 at least detects objects on the lower section 16 in that it is generally more ..,.;~
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. ~, . weight of objects located in the storage sections, and in . ~ ~
particular the lower storage section, deflects the tray '~ which forms the lower storage section. These prior art , .
~ devices utilized devices, such as reflectors, attached to .
the lower section tray such khat a deflection of the lower tray caused by the weight o~ the object located thereon would move the reflector and be noticed by a sensor located ~, ~ ! at the checkout counter.
f~'~
~1 Other prior art devices have detected objects on shopping carts by scanning the storage sections of the ~x2 i shopping carts. However, these prior art devices also required that a triggering device, such a reflector, be ?./P~
applied to each and every shopping cart belonging to a grocery store or supermarket. The reflector in these prior i, art devices served essentially two functions. Firstly, the reflector permitted these prior art devices to distinguish i, .1 between shopping carts and other items, such as baby ~-, strollers and people, passing in front of the prior art ~ devices. This prevented the prior device from scanning -j` objects other than shopping carts and thereby creating false ,~
~) readings if objects other than goods were detected.
Secondly, the reflector permitted the prior art devices to ~, initiate scanning of the shopping cart at the proper time, ,: l : namely when the shopping cart was properly oriented in front '~2~ of the scanning device~ Furthermore, in some prior art devices, the reflector even helped determine the duration of the scan.
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-~ It is apparent that if a monitoring system requires i re~lectors, or other devices to be placed on each and every shopping cart belonging to a grocery store in order for the ~;; monitoring systems to operate, there would be substantial labour and material cost involved in implementing and installing these prior art devices in a grocery store.
Furthermore, any changes made to the shopping carts would be readily apparent to consumers. Accordingly, if it is the ~i~ intention of a consumer to leave the supermarket or grocery r' ~
store without paying for certain goods, the consumer could . attempt to defeat the detection system once the consumer is ~ alerted to its presence~
i~
~, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.
Accordingly, it is an object of this inventisn to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is an object of this invention to provide an ~,~
alternative typa of object detection device which can distinguish between a shopping cart (and similar devices) and other items or articles. It is also an objeict of this invention to provide an object detection system which can distinguish shopping carts from other items, such as baby ' strollers and people, without the need to place any type of device, such as a reflector, on the shopping carts of the grocery store or otherwise alter the shopping carts of a ~rg ~ supermarket or grocery store.
,,;, i ` ` i i ~;..
. ,.
. . '~
~; Accordingly/ in one of its broad aspects, this ~-~. invention resides in providing an object detection device for detecting objects on a storage section of a moviny shopping cart comprising triggering means operable to detect at least two parts of the shopping cart when the shopping cart moves lnto a predetermined position and to send a trigger signal when the at least two parts of the shopping cart are sensed substantially simultaneously, a detecting means for detecting an object on the stora~e section of the shopping cart when the shopping cart moves into the .~` i . predetermined position and operable to receive the trigger . ,.;
signal and wherein the detecting ~eans operates in response to the trigger signal and generates a detection signal if an -:. object is detected.
Another aspect of the invention resides in providing an object detection system for detecting objects ; .
on a storage section of a moving shopping cart comprising a triggering means comprising a first triggering detector operable to detect a first part of the shopping cart entering a first area and a second triggering detector ?' .:, , opPrable to detect a second part of the shopping cart entering a second area spatially separated from the first ~;. ' area, a detecting means for detecting an object on the .~.s :.
storage section of the shopping cart, wherein when the ~,...
triggering means detects tha the first part of the shopping ~:. cart is entering the first area at substantially the same ~:~`"
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~;,; time as the second part o~? the shopping cart is entering the second area the triggering means causes the detecting means to operate and wherein the detecting means generates a detection signal if the detecting means detects an object.
Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and ~`i, the drawings which illustrate the invention and prePerred ~:.,J' embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of ~`
the invention:
Figures lA, lB and lC show side views of a shopping ~i i .,:
cart and a schematic representation of one embodiment of the present invention;
?, Figure 2 is a side view of a shopping cart (i:~ 'I
~j~, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present ., .
~ invention;
. . .
~; Figure 3 is a top view of a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a ~ront view of one embodiment of the ~ present invention; and '~ Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of ~ the present invention.
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~., DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PR~FERRED EMBODIMENTS
OF THE INVENTION
As shown in Figure lA, the present invention, in one embodiment, comprises the device lo. The device 10 has a triggering means 20 which is operable to send a trigger signal St. The device 10 further comprises a detecting means 26 for detecting an object 28 on a storage section 14 of a shopping cart 12. (It is underætood that the term shopping cart 12 in this context refers specifically to a ii ., .,3 shopping cart as used in a grocery store or supermarket but ~3 can include other vehicles or devices used to store and ` transport objects and goods.) The detecting means 26 isalso operable to generate a detection signal Sd if an object is detected.
Figure lB shows the shopping cart 12 in dotted A lines at a predetermined position 24. The triggeriny means 20 is operable to detect at least two parts of the shopping cart (shown generally in Figure lA and lB as 22A and 22B) ~,.
3j when the shopping cart 12 moves into the predetermined j position 24. The triggering means 20 sends the trigger signal S~ when the two parts 22A and 22B of the shopping cart 12 are sensed substantially simultaneously.
It should be noted that the at least two parts that trigger the triggering means 20 could be any two parts of .... ~ .
the shopping cart 12. It lS further understood that there could be more than two parts that trigger the triggering means 20, such as three parts, four parts or more.
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..~3 The triggering means 20 is operable to sense or detect the at least two parts 22A, 22B o~ the shopping cart 12 in order to distinguish the shopping cart 12 from other ~.' ~ items or articles which may pass in front o~ the detection r~.$
device ~0. Such other articles or items could be baby carriages, strollers, or people walking in front of the device 10. The possibility that these other articles or ,7,,.`'',~, items could pass in front of the triggering means 20 such ~-~ that two parts of these other articles or items would be in ~- a position with regards to the triggering means 20 to fool ,... .
the triggering means 20 are relatively low. In this way, the device 10 decreases thP number of false readings caused ,,1,~,...
~ by the device 10 being incorrectly triggered by one of these , .. .
other articles or items and having the detecting means 26 detect objects other than objects 28 on a storage section 14 of a shopping cart 12. Therefore sensing at least two parts 22A, 22B, rather than just one part of the shopping cart 12, increases the reliability of the device 10 by decreasing the chances that other objects or articles could falsely trigger ?~ h the trigger means 20.
It is typical that all or most of the shopping ~7 carts 12 which belong to a particular supermarket or grocery store where the device 10 is installed are of the same general design. The detecting means 26 will not operate to detect objects 28 in storage areas 14 of shopping carts 12 which do not have at least two parts 22A and 22B located in ~ ''I
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positions which can be detected by the trigger means 20 when the shopping carts 12 are in the predetermined positionO
Accordingly, the specific settings and dimension~ of the 1.``'~' ' `
device 10 must be customized for the particular shopping carts 12 used by each supermarket or grocery stores in which . the device 10 is installed.
.~- In instances wherle two substantially similar shopping carts 12 are used by a grocery store, similarly ~,. ;, ~;~ located parts of the two different shopping carts, such as the wheels, could be used as the at least two parts 22A, 22B. Alternatively, a first triggering means could be -~ utilized to detect the at least two parts of a first type of ~` shopping cart 12 and a second triggering means could be .. .-. ~, utilized to detect at least two parts of the second type of shopping cart.
Alternatively, parts could be added to different sized shopping carts so as to simulate the two parts 22A and 22B of shopping cart 12.
. ~, : It is also preferable that no other two parts of ,,:``
the shopping cart lZ could also be in a position with regard to the triggering means 20 as the at least two parts 22A, 5~ 22B when the shopping cart 12 moves across the device 10 thereby fooling the triggering means 20 into generating a false trigger signal Stfo To this end, it is preferable that the at least two parts 22A, 22B of the shopping cart 12 are unique in that the sensing of those at least two parts ..;,, , .~
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22A, 22B, and only those at least two par~s 22A, 22B, will cause the tri~gering means 20 to send the trigger signal Sto Re~erence is made to Figure lC which shows the two u: .
parts 22A, 22B of the shopping cart 12 as being two sections of the front support of the upper storage area 18. While the present invention can operate if the at least two parts 22A, 22B are as shown in Figure lC, these parts 22A, 22B are not unique in that two other parts (shown generally as 23A
and 23B in Figure lC as the rear support ~or the upper storage area 18) will be in a similar position with regard to the triggering means 20 as the two parts 22A, 22B at some time when the shopping cart 12 moves across the device 10.
Therefore, i~ the two parts 22A, 22B o~ the shopping cart 12 are as shown in Figure lC, it is possible that the triggering means 20 will mistakenly sense the two othar parts 23A and 23B and send a false trigger signal St~o If the trigger means 20 does mistake the two other parts 23A
and 23B as the two parts 22A and 22B ar.d send a false trigger signal S~f, it is possible that the detection means 26 will send a false detection signal Sdf if the detecting mean~ 26 detects an o~ject. Accordingly, the at least two parts 22A, 22B should be unique.
In a further embodiment, shown generally in Figure 2, the two parts 22A, 22B of the shopping cart 12 which are sensed by the triggering means 20 are a front wheel 40 and a ~ :
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.;'~!,~, ,.' ~"` "' -- 1 0 ', .~' ~''~`"'~' .~ ~ rear wheel 42. Depending on the nature of the triggering means 20, the front wheel 40 which is sensed could be a ~: front wheel 40 on either sicle of the shopping cart 12, or `-` only a front wheel on a particular side of the shopping cart 1 12. Likewise, the rear wheel 22 sensed by the triggering ;
means 20 could be a rear wheel 42 on either side of the shopping cart 12, or a rear wheel 42 on a particular side of the shopping cart 12. Preferably, the front wheel 40 and the rear wheel 42 on the side closest to the trigger means 20 are the parts 22A and 22B.
The triggering means 20 can comprise any type of sensor or detector, such as a photodetector or a tactile sensor, to effect the sensing or detection of the at least two parts 22A, 22B of the shopping cart 12. In the case of a tactile sensor, two tactile sensors could be placed across an aisle to sense the front and rear wheels 40, 42 of the shopping cart 12 as the cart 12 is moved past the tactile sensors.
It is also understood that the present invention could be adopted to detect objects on any of a number of different storage sections 14, such us the lower storage section 16 or the upper storage section 18, or both, depending on the detecting means 26 used. However, it is preferable if the detecting means 26 at least detects objects on the lower section 16 in that it is generally more ..,.;~
, -~ ,~
:
,~'^ ` '' ' ` ' ' ' ' : "
3 ~ 4 ,.. ;. ..~
.,`...
., ~`
difficult for cashiers to see objects 28 on the lower F:' `
section 16.
~;In a further embodiment of the invention, the device 10 comprises a signalling means shown generally in ~;Figure lA as 30. The signalling means 30 is operable to receive the detection siqnal Sd and to signal to an human operator acting as a cashier that an object 26 has been detected. In a further embodiment, the signalling means 30 comprises a video camera and the signalling means 30 signals that an object 26 has been detected by video taping the object 28 on the storage section 14 upon receiving the detection signal Sd. In this way, visual evidence is -~obtained of the object 28 on the storage section 1~.
In a further embodiment o~ the invention, signalling means 30 comprises an audio indicator, such as a buzzer, or a visual indicator, such as a light bulb~ or both an audio and visual indicator in combinationO In this embodiment, it is also preferable that the audio and visual indicator remain activated until a human operator deactivates it such as by pushing a button.
~Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment o~ the ,~-`~invention where two photodetectors act as the trigg~ring means 20. As shown in Figure 3, a first triggering photodetector 50 and a second triggering photodetector 52 are configured and oriented to detect a front wheel 40 and ..~
rear whee] 42, respectively. In this embodlment, the ,~ ~ .
1, ,:.' ' ~` .' ,;
:. - 12 -;: ` 2 ~
. ~, . ..
triggering means 20 will generate the trigger signal St when ~- the first triggering photodetector 50 and the second ,: triggering photodetector 52 detect the front wheel 40 and the rear wheel 42 substantially simultaneously. This type of arrangement is often referred to as an AND-AND
configurationD In this embodiment it is also preferable :~, that the triggering photodetectors 50, 52 be aimed at a :
~ point about one to two centimeters above the centre of the ,~,~ ., front and rear wheels 40, 42.
' In the system of the present invention, the triggering means 20 can be understood generally as including ~:.;....
an embodiment in which triggering means 20 is operable to detect a first part 22A of the shopping cart 12 entering a first area 60 and a second part 22B of the shopping cart 12 entering a second area 62 spatially separated from the first area 60 as shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the triggering means 20 will generate the trigger signal St, or otherwise cause the dete ting means 20 to operate, when the triggering means 20 detects that the first part 22A of the ~;.
shopping cart 12 is entering the first area 60 substantially , at the same time (which is the same as substantially . simultaneously) as the second part 22B of the shopping cart '~ .~
:,~ 12 is entering the second area 62.
i~ .
:. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first part 22A of the shopping cart 12 corresponds to the front wheel 40 and the second part 22B of the shopplng cart corresponds ,:
: ;, ':,' .
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to the rear wheel 42. Accordingly, the triggering means 20 will cause the detecting means 26 ~o detect objects 28 on the storage section 14 o~ the shopping cart 12 when the first triggering photodetecto:r 50 detects the front wheel 40 ",, ~
~- entering the first area 60 and the second triggering photodetector 52 detects the rear wheel 42 entering the second area 62.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detecting means 26 comprises a photodetector 54 for detecting an object 28 on the storage section 14 of the shopping cart 12 when the shopping cart 12 moves into the predetermined position 24. In this embodiment, the first detecting photodetector 54 will operate in response to the trigger signal St and the detecting means 26 will generate the detection signal Sd if the first detecting photodetector 54 idetects an object 28.
In a further preferred embodiment, the detecting means 26 comprise~ two photodetectors, the first detecting photodetector 54 and a second detecting photodetector 56.
In this embodiment, the detecting means 26 generates a ~i!, det~ction signal Sd if an object 28 is detected by either i `;,.'~.i .
the first detecting photodetector 54 or the second detecting photodetector 56. This type of arrangement is often referred to as an OR-OR configuration. The advantage of ~"~ . i ~. having two detecting photodetectors 54, 56 is that a wider ~" . ~
I area of the storage section 14 can be monitored. Also, by : ' , , :~.;
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; . ;.
.. ....
~ connecting the first detecting photodetector 54 and the '~ j second detecting photodetector 56 in an OR-OR configuration, the detecting means 26 is less likely to miss an object 28.
;~ While any type of photodetector may be used for .3 either of the detecting photodetectors 54, 56, or for either of the triggering photodete!ctors 50, 52, Honeywell FE7B
LZ~
!; series (trade mark) photodet:ectors have been found to be partlcularly useful. In partlcular the Honeywell FE7B-D
photodetector, which is a diffuse scan photodetector, has ~:, been particularly use~ul. These types of photodetectors can monitor any area or volume and detect obj ects having a normal finish without requiring the detected object to have attached thereon a reflector of any kind.
As also shown in Figure 3, the device 10 may be connected to a first side 72 of an aisle or aisle means 70. The aisle 70 has a second side 74 separated from the first side 72 such that the width Wa of the aisle 70 is .~; marginally wider than the width Wsc of the shopping cart ?.~;i 12. In this way, the aisle means 70 can guide the shopping cart 12 along a path shown generally as 78 in Figure 3. It l is apparent that the aisle mei~ns 70 could be a checkout - aisle o~ a supermarket or grocery store with a cash register t and cashier located at the first side 72 of the aisle 70.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the detectors associated with the triggering means 20, which :;
; in ~igure 3 are shown as the first photodetector 50 and the 1` '':'`
',1 ~ '-',' ~`-',:,' , . .' .,.
,. .;A ~
i'.; '' ~, ' : - 15 -second photodetector 52, detect objects positioned only between the first side 72 of the aisle 70 and an area .substantially halfway (shown generally as 76) between the first side 72 and the second side 74O In this way/ instead of sensing either of the front wheels 40 and either of the ~,.`,!
rear wheels 42, the triggering photodetectors 50, 52 will sense only a front wheel 44 and a rear wheel 46 on a first side 73 of the shopping cart 12, which is near the first side 72 of the aisle 70 and, therefore, near the trigger means 20.
In the embodiment where the triggering means 20 comprises photodetectors, such as triggering photodetectors 50 and 52, the distal rangiP that the photodetectors 50, 52 sense can be limited by adjusting the focal length Lft ~
the photodetectors 50 and 52. Preferably, the ~ocal length Lft is set at about or just less than one half the width Wa of the aisle 70. In the embodiment where the triggering ~; ,.
~means 20 comprises tactile sensors to sense a front whPel 40 s~
~and a rear wheel 42, the distance or area that the tactile ~ .i sensors sense can be limited by not extending the sensiti~e part of the tactile sensor across the width Wa of the aisle 70.
;The primary advantage of limiting the triggering .ji.means 20 in this way is that fewer articles or items passing ..i ;.
through the aisle 70 will tend to trigger the triggering .means 20 if its sensing area or distal range does not extend i~
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~.'across the entire aisle 70. Accordingly, the number of i~false trigger signals Stf which could be sent will be ~`!
decxeased.
t ". .
As with the triggering photodetectors 50, 52, the detecting photodetectors 54, 56 may also be adjusted so that 4 ' .
^............... the ~ocal length Lfd of the detecting photodetectors 54, 56 ~is marginally less than the width Wa o~ the aisle 70. This p.~is preferable for two reasons. Firstly, depending on the ~type of photodetector used, setting the focal length L~d at ;..,~,~,~
or marginally less than the width of the aisle will avoid having the detecting means 26 generate a false detection signal Sdf if the detecting means 26 detects the second side 74 of the aisle 70, rather than an object 28 on a storage .~section 14 of the shopping cart 12. Secondly, the datecting means 26 will be less likely to falsely detect an item or article, such as a person, standing between the shopping cart 12 and the second side 74 of the aisle 70.
~In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, i;..~:~' ~marking means 80 as shown in Figure 3, are utilized to mark ;~, ...
~;:the predetermined position 24. The marking means 80 could :.;simply comprise pieces o~ sticky tape located along the first side 72 of the aisle 70. In this way, if the ..signalling means 30 signals that an object has been ~ ~,' ?
~::qdetected, a cashier or other person, can quickly look to determine if a shopping cart 12 was in the predetermined 1.,.-l ~position 24 when the device 10 de~cted an object~ If a ~C~
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shopping cart 12 was not in the predetermined position 24 then the cashier can quickly assess that the signalling i,!, ,"`~:~
means 30 incorrectly signalled that an object had been detected.
Figure 4 shows a front view of the device 10 as it could be installed in a first side 72 of an aisle 70. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 relates to the embodiment where the front and rear wheels, 40, 42 of the shopping cart 12 are to be detected. This is why the triggering photodetectors 50, 52 are shown lower than the detecting photodetectors 54, 56 of the detecting means 26. As can be seen, the two triggering photodetectors 50, 52 are shown separated by a distance x. The distance x will vary depending on the distance between wheels 40l 42 of shopping carts 12 used in a particular grocery store.
.' Figure 4 shows detecting photodetectors 54, 56 as being a distance y from one of the first triggering lji~ !
photodetectors 50. As was the case with the triggering . a i,,,~.. ,, photodetectors 50, 52, the detecting pho~odetectors 54, 56 are configured and oriented such that they are aligned to detect objects on a storage section 14 when the shopping cart 12 is in the predetermined position 24.
A preferred circuit diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 5. As shown 1~, ~ tj;
~ in Figure 5, the triggering means 20 comprises two Honeywell . .~. ...
'';'~,;,f~ FE7 photodetectors 50, 52 which are connected in an AND-AND
l ~
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~ configuration. The detecting means, shown generally as 26, '-~i comprises two Honeywell FE7 photodetectors, 54, 56 connected , ~ in an OR-OR configuration.
The photodetectors 50, 52, 54, 56 are connected to a terminal strip 86. The numbers along th~ terminal strip refer to the location on the terminal strip to which each of the components is connected.
~i,,- ., ~`,"~ Locations 1 and 2 on the terminal strip 86 provide ~, the power source for the device 10. The 220 ohm resistor ~s across terminals 7 and 8 provide the required load ~or the operation of the photodetectors 50, 52, 54, 56. The signalling means 30 is shown generally as a 12 volt pilot ~i light connected across locations 1 and 10 on the terminal ', . .. .
--'` strip 86. Also shown is a push button 82 which in this .: .;
- embodiment must be pressed by a human operator to deactivate the signalling means 30.
, When the triggering photodetectors 50, 52 detect the two parts 22A, 22B of the shopping ~art 12 substantially , ......
simultaneously, the triggering signal St is sent to the terminal strip 86 which causes the detecting means 26 to operate. I~ either of the detecting photodetectors 5~, 56 of the detecting means 26 detect an object, tha detecting means 26 sends a detecting signal Sd to the 12 volt relay I ~ j 88. The relay 88 then causes the signalling means 30 to become activated and remain activated until the push button . ,, 82 lS depressed.
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It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have been described with respect to one or another of the emhodiments of the invention, the various ~eatures and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein.
Althcugh this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that !, .~ .
-~ have been described and illustrated herein.
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difficult for cashiers to see objects 28 on the lower F:' `
section 16.
~;In a further embodiment of the invention, the device 10 comprises a signalling means shown generally in ~;Figure lA as 30. The signalling means 30 is operable to receive the detection siqnal Sd and to signal to an human operator acting as a cashier that an object 26 has been detected. In a further embodiment, the signalling means 30 comprises a video camera and the signalling means 30 signals that an object 26 has been detected by video taping the object 28 on the storage section 14 upon receiving the detection signal Sd. In this way, visual evidence is -~obtained of the object 28 on the storage section 1~.
In a further embodiment o~ the invention, signalling means 30 comprises an audio indicator, such as a buzzer, or a visual indicator, such as a light bulb~ or both an audio and visual indicator in combinationO In this embodiment, it is also preferable that the audio and visual indicator remain activated until a human operator deactivates it such as by pushing a button.
~Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment o~ the ,~-`~invention where two photodetectors act as the trigg~ring means 20. As shown in Figure 3, a first triggering photodetector 50 and a second triggering photodetector 52 are configured and oriented to detect a front wheel 40 and ..~
rear whee] 42, respectively. In this embodlment, the ,~ ~ .
1, ,:.' ' ~` .' ,;
:. - 12 -;: ` 2 ~
. ~, . ..
triggering means 20 will generate the trigger signal St when ~- the first triggering photodetector 50 and the second ,: triggering photodetector 52 detect the front wheel 40 and the rear wheel 42 substantially simultaneously. This type of arrangement is often referred to as an AND-AND
configurationD In this embodiment it is also preferable :~, that the triggering photodetectors 50, 52 be aimed at a :
~ point about one to two centimeters above the centre of the ,~,~ ., front and rear wheels 40, 42.
' In the system of the present invention, the triggering means 20 can be understood generally as including ~:.;....
an embodiment in which triggering means 20 is operable to detect a first part 22A of the shopping cart 12 entering a first area 60 and a second part 22B of the shopping cart 12 entering a second area 62 spatially separated from the first area 60 as shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the triggering means 20 will generate the trigger signal St, or otherwise cause the dete ting means 20 to operate, when the triggering means 20 detects that the first part 22A of the ~;.
shopping cart 12 is entering the first area 60 substantially , at the same time (which is the same as substantially . simultaneously) as the second part 22B of the shopping cart '~ .~
:,~ 12 is entering the second area 62.
i~ .
:. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first part 22A of the shopping cart 12 corresponds to the front wheel 40 and the second part 22B of the shopplng cart corresponds ,:
: ;, ':,' .
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to the rear wheel 42. Accordingly, the triggering means 20 will cause the detecting means 26 ~o detect objects 28 on the storage section 14 o~ the shopping cart 12 when the first triggering photodetecto:r 50 detects the front wheel 40 ",, ~
~- entering the first area 60 and the second triggering photodetector 52 detects the rear wheel 42 entering the second area 62.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detecting means 26 comprises a photodetector 54 for detecting an object 28 on the storage section 14 of the shopping cart 12 when the shopping cart 12 moves into the predetermined position 24. In this embodiment, the first detecting photodetector 54 will operate in response to the trigger signal St and the detecting means 26 will generate the detection signal Sd if the first detecting photodetector 54 idetects an object 28.
In a further preferred embodiment, the detecting means 26 comprise~ two photodetectors, the first detecting photodetector 54 and a second detecting photodetector 56.
In this embodiment, the detecting means 26 generates a ~i!, det~ction signal Sd if an object 28 is detected by either i `;,.'~.i .
the first detecting photodetector 54 or the second detecting photodetector 56. This type of arrangement is often referred to as an OR-OR configuration. The advantage of ~"~ . i ~. having two detecting photodetectors 54, 56 is that a wider ~" . ~
I area of the storage section 14 can be monitored. Also, by : ' , , :~.;
! .
~`',~'`".,;' 2 ~
; . ;.
.. ....
~ connecting the first detecting photodetector 54 and the '~ j second detecting photodetector 56 in an OR-OR configuration, the detecting means 26 is less likely to miss an object 28.
;~ While any type of photodetector may be used for .3 either of the detecting photodetectors 54, 56, or for either of the triggering photodete!ctors 50, 52, Honeywell FE7B
LZ~
!; series (trade mark) photodet:ectors have been found to be partlcularly useful. In partlcular the Honeywell FE7B-D
photodetector, which is a diffuse scan photodetector, has ~:, been particularly use~ul. These types of photodetectors can monitor any area or volume and detect obj ects having a normal finish without requiring the detected object to have attached thereon a reflector of any kind.
As also shown in Figure 3, the device 10 may be connected to a first side 72 of an aisle or aisle means 70. The aisle 70 has a second side 74 separated from the first side 72 such that the width Wa of the aisle 70 is .~; marginally wider than the width Wsc of the shopping cart ?.~;i 12. In this way, the aisle means 70 can guide the shopping cart 12 along a path shown generally as 78 in Figure 3. It l is apparent that the aisle mei~ns 70 could be a checkout - aisle o~ a supermarket or grocery store with a cash register t and cashier located at the first side 72 of the aisle 70.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the detectors associated with the triggering means 20, which :;
; in ~igure 3 are shown as the first photodetector 50 and the 1` '':'`
',1 ~ '-',' ~`-',:,' , . .' .,.
,. .;A ~
i'.; '' ~, ' : - 15 -second photodetector 52, detect objects positioned only between the first side 72 of the aisle 70 and an area .substantially halfway (shown generally as 76) between the first side 72 and the second side 74O In this way/ instead of sensing either of the front wheels 40 and either of the ~,.`,!
rear wheels 42, the triggering photodetectors 50, 52 will sense only a front wheel 44 and a rear wheel 46 on a first side 73 of the shopping cart 12, which is near the first side 72 of the aisle 70 and, therefore, near the trigger means 20.
In the embodiment where the triggering means 20 comprises photodetectors, such as triggering photodetectors 50 and 52, the distal rangiP that the photodetectors 50, 52 sense can be limited by adjusting the focal length Lft ~
the photodetectors 50 and 52. Preferably, the ~ocal length Lft is set at about or just less than one half the width Wa of the aisle 70. In the embodiment where the triggering ~; ,.
~means 20 comprises tactile sensors to sense a front whPel 40 s~
~and a rear wheel 42, the distance or area that the tactile ~ .i sensors sense can be limited by not extending the sensiti~e part of the tactile sensor across the width Wa of the aisle 70.
;The primary advantage of limiting the triggering .ji.means 20 in this way is that fewer articles or items passing ..i ;.
through the aisle 70 will tend to trigger the triggering .means 20 if its sensing area or distal range does not extend i~
": ,.~
., ~. ;`i .:;
, ~,, ~, ,- .s ',: .
....
~ - 16 ~ 2~
..;
~.'across the entire aisle 70. Accordingly, the number of i~false trigger signals Stf which could be sent will be ~`!
decxeased.
t ". .
As with the triggering photodetectors 50, 52, the detecting photodetectors 54, 56 may also be adjusted so that 4 ' .
^............... the ~ocal length Lfd of the detecting photodetectors 54, 56 ~is marginally less than the width Wa o~ the aisle 70. This p.~is preferable for two reasons. Firstly, depending on the ~type of photodetector used, setting the focal length L~d at ;..,~,~,~
or marginally less than the width of the aisle will avoid having the detecting means 26 generate a false detection signal Sdf if the detecting means 26 detects the second side 74 of the aisle 70, rather than an object 28 on a storage .~section 14 of the shopping cart 12. Secondly, the datecting means 26 will be less likely to falsely detect an item or article, such as a person, standing between the shopping cart 12 and the second side 74 of the aisle 70.
~In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, i;..~:~' ~marking means 80 as shown in Figure 3, are utilized to mark ;~, ...
~;:the predetermined position 24. The marking means 80 could :.;simply comprise pieces o~ sticky tape located along the first side 72 of the aisle 70. In this way, if the ..signalling means 30 signals that an object has been ~ ~,' ?
~::qdetected, a cashier or other person, can quickly look to determine if a shopping cart 12 was in the predetermined 1.,.-l ~position 24 when the device 10 de~cted an object~ If a ~C~
:'~ :1 1 ',''.
~ .
i- ;:..
t i~,~
r~
:
~ - ~7 - 2~
,~, ....
shopping cart 12 was not in the predetermined position 24 then the cashier can quickly assess that the signalling i,!, ,"`~:~
means 30 incorrectly signalled that an object had been detected.
Figure 4 shows a front view of the device 10 as it could be installed in a first side 72 of an aisle 70. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 relates to the embodiment where the front and rear wheels, 40, 42 of the shopping cart 12 are to be detected. This is why the triggering photodetectors 50, 52 are shown lower than the detecting photodetectors 54, 56 of the detecting means 26. As can be seen, the two triggering photodetectors 50, 52 are shown separated by a distance x. The distance x will vary depending on the distance between wheels 40l 42 of shopping carts 12 used in a particular grocery store.
.' Figure 4 shows detecting photodetectors 54, 56 as being a distance y from one of the first triggering lji~ !
photodetectors 50. As was the case with the triggering . a i,,,~.. ,, photodetectors 50, 52, the detecting pho~odetectors 54, 56 are configured and oriented such that they are aligned to detect objects on a storage section 14 when the shopping cart 12 is in the predetermined position 24.
A preferred circuit diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 5. As shown 1~, ~ tj;
~ in Figure 5, the triggering means 20 comprises two Honeywell . .~. ...
'';'~,;,f~ FE7 photodetectors 50, 52 which are connected in an AND-AND
l ~
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~`
~' - 18 ~ 2~3$~9 :`.
....
~ configuration. The detecting means, shown generally as 26, '-~i comprises two Honeywell FE7 photodetectors, 54, 56 connected , ~ in an OR-OR configuration.
The photodetectors 50, 52, 54, 56 are connected to a terminal strip 86. The numbers along th~ terminal strip refer to the location on the terminal strip to which each of the components is connected.
~i,,- ., ~`,"~ Locations 1 and 2 on the terminal strip 86 provide ~, the power source for the device 10. The 220 ohm resistor ~s across terminals 7 and 8 provide the required load ~or the operation of the photodetectors 50, 52, 54, 56. The signalling means 30 is shown generally as a 12 volt pilot ~i light connected across locations 1 and 10 on the terminal ', . .. .
--'` strip 86. Also shown is a push button 82 which in this .: .;
- embodiment must be pressed by a human operator to deactivate the signalling means 30.
, When the triggering photodetectors 50, 52 detect the two parts 22A, 22B of the shopping ~art 12 substantially , ......
simultaneously, the triggering signal St is sent to the terminal strip 86 which causes the detecting means 26 to operate. I~ either of the detecting photodetectors 5~, 56 of the detecting means 26 detect an object, tha detecting means 26 sends a detecting signal Sd to the 12 volt relay I ~ j 88. The relay 88 then causes the signalling means 30 to become activated and remain activated until the push button . ,, 82 lS depressed.
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It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have been described with respect to one or another of the emhodiments of the invention, the various ~eatures and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein.
Althcugh this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that !, .~ .
-~ have been described and illustrated herein.
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Claims (20)
1. An object detection device for detecting objects on a storage section of a moving shopping cart comprising:
triggering means operable to detect at least two parts of the shopping cart when the shopping cart moves into a predetermined position and to send a trigger signal when the at least two parts of the shopping cart are sensed substantially simultaneously;
a detecting means for detecting an object on the storage section of the shopping cart when the shopping cart moves into the predetermined position and operable to receive the trigger signal; and wherein the detecting means operates in response to the trigger signal and generates a detection signal if an object is detected.
triggering means operable to detect at least two parts of the shopping cart when the shopping cart moves into a predetermined position and to send a trigger signal when the at least two parts of the shopping cart are sensed substantially simultaneously;
a detecting means for detecting an object on the storage section of the shopping cart when the shopping cart moves into the predetermined position and operable to receive the trigger signal; and wherein the detecting means operates in response to the trigger signal and generates a detection signal if an object is detected.
2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least two parts of the shopping cart are unique in that the sensing of those at least two parts, and only those at least two parts, will cause the triggering means to send the trigger signal.
3. The device as defined in claim 2 further comprising a signalling means operable to receive the detection signal and to signal that an object has been detected.
4. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the at least two parts of the shopping cart is a front wheel of the shopping cart and another of the at least two parts of the shopping cart is a rear wheel of the shopping cart.
5. The device as defined in claim 4 wherein the triggering means comprises two tactile sensors.
6. The device as defined in claim 4 wherein the triggering means comprises a first triggering photodetector configured and oriented to detect the front wheel and a second triggering photodetector configured and oriented to detect the rear wheel; and wherein the first triggering photodetector and the second triggering photodetector must detect the respective front and rear wheels substantially simultaneously in order for a trigger signal to be sent.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein the storage section is a lower storage section.
8. The device as defined in claim 7 wherein the detecting means comprises a first detecting photodetector.
9. The device as defined in claim 8 further comprising a signalling means operable to receive the detection signal and to signal that an object has been detected.
10. The device as defined in claim 9 wherein the signaling means comprises a video camera which begins taping in response to the detection signal.
11. The device as defined in claim 10 wherein the signalling means comprises either an audio or a visual indicator, or both.
12. The device as defined in claim 9 wherein the device detects objects on the storage section while the shopping cart having a width is moving through an aisle having a first side and a second side; and wherein the aisle is marginally wider than the width of the shopping cart.
13. The device as defined in claim 12 wherein the detecting means further comprises a second detecting photodetector and wherein the detecting means generates a detection signal if an object is detected by either the second detecting photodetector or the first detecting photodetector or both.
14. The device as defined in claim 13 wherein the device is installed on the first side of the aisle and the triggering means senses objects positioned only between the first side and an area substantially halfway between the first side and the second side;
wherein the shopping cart has a first side near the first side of the aisle; and wherein the front wheel is a front wheel on the first side of the shopping cart and the rear wheel is a rear wheel on the first side of the shopping cart.
wherein the shopping cart has a first side near the first side of the aisle; and wherein the front wheel is a front wheel on the first side of the shopping cart and the rear wheel is a rear wheel on the first side of the shopping cart.
15. The device as defined in claim 14 wherein the first and second triggering photodetectors and the first and second detecting photodetectors each has a focal length and wherein the focal length of each of the first and second triggering photodetectors is about, or marginally less than, half the width of the aisle and wherein the focal length of each of the first and second detecting photodetectors is about, or marginally less than, the width of the aisle.
16. An object detection system for detecting objects on a storage section of a moving shopping cart comprising:
a triggering means comprising a first triggering detector operable to detect a first part of the shopping cart entering a first area and a second triggering detector operable to detect a second part of the shopping cart entering a second area spatially separated from the first area;
a detecting means for detecting an object on the storage section of the shopping cart;
wherein when the triggering means detects that the first part of the shopping cart is entering the first area at substantially the same time as the second part of the shopping cart is entering the second area, the triggering means causes the detecting means to operate; and wherein the detecting means generates a detection signal if the detecting means detects an object.
a triggering means comprising a first triggering detector operable to detect a first part of the shopping cart entering a first area and a second triggering detector operable to detect a second part of the shopping cart entering a second area spatially separated from the first area;
a detecting means for detecting an object on the storage section of the shopping cart;
wherein when the triggering means detects that the first part of the shopping cart is entering the first area at substantially the same time as the second part of the shopping cart is entering the second area, the triggering means causes the detecting means to operate; and wherein the detecting means generates a detection signal if the detecting means detects an object.
17. The system as defined in claim 16 further comprising aisle means marginally wider than a width of the shopping cart to guide the shopping cart along a path; and wherein the triggering means is associated with the aisle means such that as the shopping cart moves along the path no parts of the shopping cart enter the first area and the second area at substantially the same time other than the first part and the second part, respectively.
18. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the first part of the shopping cart is a front wheel of the shopping cart and the second part of the shopping cart is a rear wheel of the shopping cart such that the triggering means will cause the detecting means to detect objects on the storage section when the first triggering detector detects the front wheel entering the first area at substantially the same time as the second triggering detector detects the rear wheel entering the second area.
19. The system as defined in claim 18 further comprising a signalling means operable to receive the detection signal and to signal that an object has been detected.
20. The system as defined in claim 19 further comprising aisle means marginally wider than a width of a shopping cart:
wherein the detecting means comprises a first detecting photodetector having a focal length and a second detecting photodetector having a focal length such that the focal length of the first and second detecting photodetectors is about, or marginally less than, the width of the aisle means;
wherein the first area and the second area each extends no further from the first and second triggering detectors than about half the width of aisle means; and wherein the front wheel is a front wheel near the triggering means and the rear wheel is a rear wheel near the triggering means.
wherein the detecting means comprises a first detecting photodetector having a focal length and a second detecting photodetector having a focal length such that the focal length of the first and second detecting photodetectors is about, or marginally less than, the width of the aisle means;
wherein the first area and the second area each extends no further from the first and second triggering detectors than about half the width of aisle means; and wherein the front wheel is a front wheel near the triggering means and the rear wheel is a rear wheel near the triggering means.
Priority Applications (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2088894 CA2088894A1 (en) | 1993-02-05 | 1993-02-05 | Shopping cart check-out monitoring system |
| EP94906109A EP0682486B1 (en) | 1993-02-05 | 1994-02-04 | Shopping cart check-out monitoring system |
| DE69419139T DE69419139D1 (en) | 1993-02-05 | 1994-02-04 | MONITORING DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SHOPPING CART |
| AU59973/94A AU5997394A (en) | 1993-02-05 | 1994-02-04 | Shopping cart check-out monitoring system |
| PCT/CA1994/000063 WO1994017700A1 (en) | 1993-02-05 | 1994-02-04 | Shopping cart check-out monitoring system |
| AT94906109T ATE181219T1 (en) | 1993-02-05 | 1994-02-04 | MONITORING DEVICE FOR CHECKING SHOPPING CARTS |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2088894 CA2088894A1 (en) | 1993-02-05 | 1993-02-05 | Shopping cart check-out monitoring system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2088894A1 true CA2088894A1 (en) | 1994-08-06 |
Family
ID=4151104
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2088894 Abandoned CA2088894A1 (en) | 1993-02-05 | 1993-02-05 | Shopping cart check-out monitoring system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2088894A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7839284B2 (en) | 2006-10-06 | 2010-11-23 | Oossite Technologies Inc. | Monitoring of shopping cart bottom tray |
-
1993
- 1993-02-05 CA CA 2088894 patent/CA2088894A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7839284B2 (en) | 2006-10-06 | 2010-11-23 | Oossite Technologies Inc. | Monitoring of shopping cart bottom tray |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |