Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a billing system and particularly to an invoice printing with a self-checkout system.
Description of Related Art
[002] Billing and inventory management systems have been essential in retail and logistics, but existing solutions often suffer from inefficiencies. Traditional methods rely on manual data entry, barcode scanning, and standalone weighing scales, which can lead to errors, delays, and increased operational costs. While Point of Sale (POS) systems integrate billing and stock management, they require human intervention for weight-based pricing and lack real-time automation. Businesses struggle with inaccurate transactions, slow processing, and inventory mismatches, affecting both profitability and customer satisfaction.
[003] Some modern solutions attempt to address these gaps by incorporating smart weighing scales with connectivity features, but they remain limited in automation, scalability, and integration. These systems often require separate software for inventory tracking and billing, leading to fragmented workflows. Many lack automatic calibration, forcing businesses to perform frequent manual adjustments that reduce efficiency. Additionally, proprietary technologies create compatibility issues, making it difficult for businesses to adopt cost-effective, universally adaptable solutions.
[004] Security and compliance challenges further complicate operations, as many existing systems do not implement strong data protection measures. Weak encryption and poor access controls expose businesses to risks such as fraud, unauthorized modifications, and data breaches. Regulatory compliance for financial transactions and accurate weighing requires more advanced solutions that can automate compliance checks while ensuring seamless operation. The persistent limitations in accuracy, automation, and security create a strong demand for a more integrated and efficient billing and inventory management system.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced invoice printing with a self-checkout system that can address the aforementioned limitations more efficiently.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an invoice printing with a self-checkout system. The system comprising a weighing unit, installed under a weighing scale and configured to measure a weight of goods placed on the weighing scale. The system further comprising an imaging unit, installed in a visual periphery of the weighing scale and configured to capture images of the goods placed on the weighing scale for product identification. The system further comprising a detection unit, installed on the weighing scale and configured to detect a presence and removal of the goods placed on the weighing scale. The system further comprising a microcontroller communicatively connected to the weighing unit, the imaging unit, and to the detection unit. The microcontroller is configured to receive the detected presence of the goods placed on the weighing scale; activate the weighing unit to measure the weight of the goods placed on the weighing scale, upon detection of presence of the goods placed on the weighing scale; activate the imaging unit for capturing the images of the goods placed on the weighing scale; command a machine learning algorithm to identify the goods captured in the images; fetch a selling price of the identified goods; calculate a cost of the identified goods by multiplying the weight of the goods with the fetched selling price; and generate an invoice for the corresponding goods.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for a self-checkout with an invoice printing. The method comprising steps of: receiving a detected presence of goods placed on a weighing scale; activating a weighing unit to measure a weight of goods placed on the weighing scale, upon detection of presence of the goods placed on the weighing scale; activating an imaging unit for capturing images of the goods placed on the weighing scale for product identification; commanding a machine learning algorithm to identify the goods captured in the images; fetching a selling price of the identified goods from a memory; calculating a cost of the identified goods by multiplying the weight of the goods with the fetched selling price; displaying the calculated cost of the identified goods on a display unit; generating an invoice for the corresponding goods, upon receipt of a confirmation from a customer; and printing the generated invoice.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide an invoice printing with a self-checkout system.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a self-checkout system that features seamless integration with inventory and billing systems.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a self-checkout system that presents Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) driven automation for accuracy and efficiency.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a self-checkout system that offers automated calibration and maintenance.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a self-checkout system that offers enhanced security and regulatory compliance.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a self-checkout system that presents scalability and customization for businesses of all sizes.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an invoice printing with a self-checkout system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for a self-checkout with an invoice printing, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0021] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0022] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an invoice printing with a self-checkout system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may be adapted to carry out automated billing of goods. The automated billing of the goods may enable a customer to conduct a self-checkout. The system 100 may be adapted to detect goods by interpolation of weight and images of the corresponding goods. The system 100 may further be adapted to generate a bill for the goods sold to the customer. Alongside of the billing of the goods, the system 100 may be adapted to manage an inventory based on detected sales from the goods. The goods may be, but not limited to, groceries, hardware, clothing items, footwear items, medicines, books, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the goods, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0024] The system 100 may be installed in location such as, but not limited to, a shopping mall, a grocery store, a showroom, a kiosk, a pharmacy, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies, for installation of the system 100.
[0025] The system 100 may comprise a weighing scale 102, a microcontroller 110, a machine learning algorithm 112, a memory 114, a display unit 116, a printing unit 118, and a computing device 120.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the weighing scale 102 may be adapted to measure the weight of the good. The weighing scale 102 may measure the weight of the goods by operation of a weighing unit 104. The weighing unit 104 may be installed under the weighing scale 102. Further, the weighing unit 104 may be configured to measure the weight of the goods placed on the weighing scale 102. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weighing unit 104 may be a load cell. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the weighing unit 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The weighing scale 102 may further comprise an imaging unit 106 and a detection unit 108.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit 106 may be installed in a visual periphery of the weighing scale 102. The imaging unit 106 may be configured to capture the images of the goods placed on the weighing scale 102 for product identification. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit 106 may be a camera. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the imaging unit 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit 108 may be installed on the weighing scale 102. The detection unit 108 may be adapted to detect a presence and removal of the goods placed on the weighing scale 102. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit 108 may be a proximity sensor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the detection unit 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 110 may be connected to the weighing unit 104, the imaging unit 106, and to the detection unit 108. The microcontroller 110 may be configured to receive the detected presence of the goods placed on the weighing scale 102. Further, upon detection of presence of the goods placed on the weighing scale 102, the microcontroller 110 may be configured to activate the weighing unit 104 to measure the weight of the goods placed on the weighing scale 102.
[0030] The microcontroller 110 may be configured to activate the imaging unit 106 for capturing the images of the goods placed on the weighing scale 102. The microcontroller 110 may be configured to command the machine learning algorithm 112 to identify the goods captured in the images. The machine learning algorithm 112 may be, but not limited to, a deep learning, a computer vision, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the machine learning algorithm 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] The microcontroller 110 may be configured to fetch a selling price of the identified goods from the memory 114. The memory 114 may be, but not limited to, a hard drive, a flash drive, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] The microcontroller 110 may be configured to calculate a cost of the identified goods by multiplying the weight of the goods with the fetched selling price. Further, the microcontroller 110 may be configured to generate an invoice for the corresponding goods.
[0033] The microcontroller 110 may be configured to perform a real-time automatic calibration of the weighing unit 104 to ensure long-term measurement accuracy. The microcontroller 110 may be configured to manage the inventory by calculating a remaining amount of the goods based on the sales of the corresponding goods. The microcontroller 110 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the microcontroller 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 116 may be adapted to display the calculated cost and the generated invoice to the customer. The display unit 116 may further be adapted to receive the confirmation from the customer. The display unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the printing unit 118 may be adapted to print the generated invoice. The printing of the generated invoice may be conducted upon receipt of the confirmation from the customer. The printing unit 118 may be, but not limited to, an inkjet printer, a dot-matrix printer, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the printing unit 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the computing device 120 may be an electronic device that may be used by a user such as, but not limited to, a shopkeeper, an inventory manager, and so forth. The computing device 120 may be adapted to display statistics such as, but not limited to, a transaction history, a generation of reports, an analysis of sales data, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the statistics, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The computing device 120 may be, but not limited to, a personal computer, a desktop, a server, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, a notebook, a netbook, a smartphone, a wearable device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the computing device 120 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for the self-checkout with the invoice printing using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] At step 202, the system 100 may receive the detected presence of the goods placed on the weighing scale 102.
[0039] At step 204, if the presence of the goods may be detected on the weighing scale 102, then the method 200 may proceed to a step 206. Else, the method 200 may revert to the step 202.
[0040] At step 206, the system 100 may activate the weighing unit 104 to measure the weight of the goods placed on the weighing scale 102.
[0041] At step 208, the system 100 activate the imaging unit 106 for capturing the images of the goods placed on the weighing scale 102.
[0042] At step 210, the system 100 may command the machine learning algorithm 112 to identify the goods captured in the images.
[0043] At step 212, the system 100 may fetch the selling price of the identified goods from the memory 114.
[0044] At step 214, the system 100 may calculate the cost of the identified goods by multiplying the weight of the goods with the fetched selling price.
[0045] At step 216, the system 100 may display the calculated cost of the identified goods on the display unit 116.
[0046] At step 218, the system 100 may receive a confirmation from the customer. Upon receipt of the confirmation, the method 200 may proceed to a step 220. Else, the method 200 may conclude.
[0047] At step 220, the system 100 may generate the invoice for the corresponding goods.
[0048] At step 222, the system 100 may activate the printing unit 118 to print the generated invoice.
[0049] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0050] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. An invoice printing with a self-checkout system (100), the system (100) comprising:
a weighing unit (104), installed under a weighing scale (102) and configured to measure a weight of goods placed on the weighing scale (102);
an imaging unit (106), installed in a visual periphery of the weighing scale (102) and configured to capture images of the goods placed on the weighing scale (102) for product identification;
a detection unit (108), installed on the weighing scale (102) and configured to detect a presence and removal of the goods placed on the weighing scale (102); and
a microcontroller (110) communicatively connected to the weighing unit (104), the imaging unit (106), and to the detection unit (108), characterized in that the microcontroller (110) is configured to:
receive the detected presence of the goods placed on the weighing scale (102);
activate the weighing unit (104) to measure the weight of the goods placed on the weighing scale (102), upon detection of presence of the goods placed on the weighing scale (102);
activate the imaging unit (106) for capturing the images of the goods placed on the weighing scale (102);
command a machine learning algorithm (112) to identify the goods captured in the images;
fetch a selling price of the identified goods;
calculate a cost of the identified goods by multiplying the weight of the goods with the fetched selling price; and
generate an invoice for the corresponding goods.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a display unit (116) adapted to display the calculated cost and the generated invoice to a customer.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a printing unit (118) adapted to print the generated invoice.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a computing device (120) adapted to display statistics selected from a transaction history, a generation of reports, an analysis of sales data, or combination thereof.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (110) is configured to manage an inventory by calculating a remaining amount of the goods based on sales of the corresponding goods.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (110) is configured to perform a real-time automatic calibration of the weighing unit (104) to ensure long-term measurement accuracy.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weighing unit (104) is a load cell.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging unit (106) is a camera.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selling price of the goods is stored in a memory (114).
10. A method (200) for a self-checkout with an invoice printing, characterized in that the method (200) comprises steps of:
receiving a detected presence of goods placed on a weighing scale (102);
activating a weighing unit (104) to measure a weight of goods placed on the weighing scale (102), upon detection of presence of the goods placed on the weighing scale (102);
activating an imaging unit (106) for capturing images of the goods placed on the weighing scale (102) for product identification;
commanding a machine learning algorithm (112) to identify the goods captured in the images;
fetching a selling price of the identified goods from a memory (114);
calculating a cost of the identified goods by multiplying the weight of the goods with the fetched selling price;
displaying the calculated cost of the identified goods on a display unit (116);
generating an invoice for the corresponding goods, upon receipt of a confirmation from a customer; and
printing the generated invoice.
Date: February 26, 2025
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant