Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Idea: Automated Billing Trolleys (The Super Market Diaries)

To mark my first post, i would definitely introduce my obsession about changing the way supermarkets work. Those of you who know me well, would definitely have heard this before from me.

It's really annoying how picking up a couple of items at Big Bazaar and the likes in India, we have to be standing in a queue that never seems to end. The idea is called 'BillFast' and is aimed at reducing these long queues at supermarkets and large format retail stores. It would require mounting a Bar Code reader on the handle side of the supermarket trolley facing the basket space. This would be connected to a 5 line monochrome LCD display. Also, a retractable USB cable to connect to the billing desk.
How it works: Any person who wants to pick up less than 10 small items can pick this trolley, use the barcode scanner to scan the items and ]verify his items and total price on the display. For billing, there is a separate express billing counter where the USB would pulled from the trolley and connected to the billing counter to transfer the list for billing. The count of items and names would be displayed on the billing monitor and the items can be verified while packing.

Notes:
  • This would be the first generation concept and eventually the entire billing could be brought on similar lines
  •  The number of items have been restricted to a convenient number to avoid errors in verification of the items scanned and the items actually present in the trolley.

3 comments:

  1. hey i have chosen this as my project i would like to ask you that how this product creates value for the customers?
    how it will be beneficial other than time consuming for the customer?
    and whats the purpose of saving few mins of waiting in the line when you have to go to the counter for checking/verifying?

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    Replies
    1. main advantages of this is "no queues".
      you can use zigbee module, and a closing button will be present at the trolley.after the completion of your shopping, just press the close button and as you do so; the entire billing information will be send to the PC at billing counter. then your bill will be ready their u just have to go swap your card,take printed bill.that's it. no checking and verifying needed.You just need 2 minutes to swap the card and print a paper of bill.
      Additional unit required is:
      1. Zigbee module.
      2. RS232 port.
      3. A PC.
      you can also display the total cost at the LCD of your trolley, so that you can keep check of your total amount that needed to be paid.

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  2. hai sir I am going to do my project on this topic can u help me to do it

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