Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a system assisting visually impaired people, and in particular to the system assisting the visually impaired people in selecting items from a list of selectable items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Self-checkout systems, also referred to as assisted checkouts or service checkouts, utilize artificial technology (AI) technology to analyze product images or barcodes. Thus the self-checkout systems allows customers to scan items and pay for the purchases without requiring assistance from store staff. Further, the artificial technology (AI) assisted checkouts utilize advanced algorithms to analyze images of products scanned by customers. Using this information, the system detects errors, prompts customers to self-correct, and alerts associates when needed, resulting in reduced errors and increased sales.
[003] For many customers, checking out their own products is perfect. Especially, if the customers have only a few items or if the customer is in a hurry, according to the same study. Also, privacy, control over purchases, and less need to connect with others are important factors of the self-checkout systems.
[004] With the advancement and people having less time to invest in shopping and standing in long queue for checkouts motivates for the self-checkout system. But, the self-checkout system is having limitation that the system is not helpful for visually impaired people.
[005] The patent application US20080189114A1 titled “Method and apparatus for assisting vision impaired individuals with selecting items from a list” discloses about a method, system, and computer program. The method, system, and computer program product for assisting individuals with vision impairment in their selection of items that are typically displayed in a list.
[006] The patent application US7325731B2 titled “Self-checkout terminal” discloses about a self-checkout terminal. The self-checkout terminal is provided which includes a sensor for detecting whether or not a customer is in a position where operation of units of the self-checkout terminal by the customer is possible. When the sensor does not detect a customer, a whole guidance screen including a procedure summary of a self-checkout from start to finish is displayed. When the sensor detects a customer, the whole guidance screen is erased and a basic screen is displayed which shows guidance on performing a self-checkout. The guidance displayed on the basic screen is changed in accordance with the stage of the self-checkout.
[007] The above mentioned prior art and the available literature describes about the self-check terminal and the method and apparatus for assisting vision impaired individuals with selecting items from a list. The above mentioned prior art are complicated and time consuming, also limited to the people with perfect vision.
[008] Therefore, keeping in view the problem associated with the state of the art there is a need of the self-checkout system assisting visually impaired person.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[009] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification.
[010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification and eliminates dependency.
[011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification for providing employment to the visually impaired person.
[012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification and any entity (e-commerce reseller, etc.) that sells heterogenous SKUs to employ visually challenged personnel for conducting the product verification before packing as per current manpower driven process.
[013] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification and to verify the product details at a self-checkout counters.
[014] Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, the aspects of the present invention are disclosed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[015] A system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification, comprising a platform, a slot, a scanning unit, an audio unit, at least two bins including a first bin and a second bin and a pair of push buttons including a first push button and a second push button. The platform is installed with the slot receiving an item. The item is provided with a barcode and a braille maximum retail price (MRP) label. The scanning unit is installed in proximity of the slot, and reading the barcode in order to fetch the one or more information. The operator reaches to the location of a braille maximum retail price (MRP) label. Further, the operator read the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label and matches with the one or more information. On verification the operator press a first push button and disposed the item in the first bin.
[016] Further, the operator reaches to the location of the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label through an audio instruction provided by the audio unit. The audio unit receives the signal from the control unit, and converts into speech signal. Further, the control unit receives the location details from the image capturing unit. Further, the image capturing unit arranged over the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[017] The present invention will be better understood after reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred aspects thereof with reference to the appended drawings, in which the features, other aspects and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing in which:

[018] Figure 1 illustrates a system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[019] The following description describes various features and functions of the disclosed system with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative aspects described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed system can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which have not been contemplated herein.
[020] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[021] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.
[022] The terms and words used in the following description are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustrative purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.
[023] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[024] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, components or groups thereof.
[025] The present invention relates to a system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification. The system enabled product detail verification by a visually challenged person using a combination of audio readout in conjunction with product maximum retail price (MRP) tag. The product maximum retail price (MRP) tag printed in Braille. The system utilizes computer vision to identify the item barcode, and guide the operator to using audio instruction.
[026] The present invention relates to a system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification, comprises a platform, at least four columns, a slot, a scanning unit, an imaging unit, an audio unit, at least two bins, a pair of push buttons.
[027] Figure 1 illustrates block diagram of the system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification. In one embodiment, the system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification, comprising the platform. Further, the platform is having a first portion and a second portion. Further, the first portion and the second portion is a flat and smooth surface. Further, the second portion is installed with the at least four columns. Further, the at least four columns allows the platform to stand on a ground surface firmly. Further, the platform made and the at least four columns of material but not limited to wood, stainless steel, aluminum.
[028] Further, the first portion is installed with the slot. Further, the slot is installed to receive an item. Further, the item is placed on the slot by an operator. Further, the operator may be visually impaired.
[029] Further, the item is labeled with a barcode and a braille maximum retail price (MRP) label. Further, the barcode is configured with a one or more information. Further, the one or more information may include but not limited to, last 4 digits of a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) code, size of the item, maximum retail price (MRP) of the item, product color and type of the item.
[030] Further, the scanning unit is installed in proximity of the slot. Further, the scanning unit may include but not limited to a barcode scanner. Further, the scanning unit scanned the barcode in order to fetch the one or more information. Further, the scanning unit is connected to a control unit. Further, the control unit receives the one or more information from the scanning unit. Further, the control unit process the one or more information and transmits the signal to the audio unit. Further, the audio unit receives the signal and convert into the speech signal. Further, the audio unit provide an audio instruction. Further, the audio unit may include but not limited to a head phone, an ear phone and a speaker. Further, the audio unit is wirelessly connected to the control unit.
[031] Further, the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label attached to the item. Further, the operator reaches to a location of the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label through the audio instruction provide by the audio unit. Further, the operator read the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label, and match with the one or more information. Further, the image capturing unit is arranged over the slot to identify a location of the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label. Further, the image capturing unit identifies the location using computer vision algorithm trained to identify the location.
[032] Further, the location of the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label is identified by the image capturing unit. Further, the image capturing unit identify the location and transmits to the control unit. Further, the control unit process the location and guide the operator’s hand in order to reach the location of the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label.
[033] Further, the operator snapped to the location through the magnetic unit. Further, the magnetic unit may be a wearable device. Further, the wearable device may include but not limited to a ring, bracelet.s
[034] Further, for example the slot is 30cm x 30cm with raised lines every 1cm at each corner for tactile feedback. Considering bottom left corner as origin (x=0, y=0). Once the operator places the product in the slot and the image capturing unit identifies the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label at x=15cm and y=12cm. The audio unit will ask the operator to move his first hand through 12 marks on vertical edge and second hand 15 marks on horizontal edge. Now both hands move orthogonal to the edge and meet at the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label.
[035] Further, the operator read the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label on reaching the location. Further, the operator obtained data by reading the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label. Further, the operator matches the data with the one or more information. In case, the data matched with the one or more information, the item verified. Further, the operator presses the first push button and disposed the item in the first bin.
[036] In case, the data does not matches with the one or more information, the operator press the second push button. Further, the operator disposed the item into the second bin.
[037] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently
considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not 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.
, Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A system for assisting a visually challenged person for product verification, comprising:
a platform;
a slot, installed on the platform, and receiving an item;
a barcode labeled on the item configuring one or more information;
a scanning unit, installed in proximity of the slot, and reading the barcode in order to fetch the one or more information;
an audio unit for providing an audio instruction to an operator;
a control unit process signal received from the audio unit;
at least two bins, including a first bin and a second bin, attached to the platform, and holding the item on verification; and
a pair of push buttons, including a first push button and a second push button, and placed in proximity of the at least two bins.

wherein,
the item having a braille maximum retail price (MRP) label read by the operator;
the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label spotted by an image capturing unit in order to identify a location of the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label;
the control unit receives the location details from the image capturing unit, and transmits a signal to the audio unit in order to guide the operator by providing audio instruction;
the operator possess a magnetic unit snapped to the braille maximum retail price (MRP) label, by following the audio instruction; and
the operator reads the data and matches with the one or more information, and on verification the item is disposed in the second bin.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanning unit is maintaining alignment with the slot.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two bins are attached to the platform.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more information includes but not limited to size, maximum retail price (MRP), color and type of the item.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit arranged over the slot.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic unit is a wearable device.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is wirelessly connected to the scanning unit, the audio unit and the image capturing unit.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform having at least four vertical columns to make the platform stand on ground firmly.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform made of material but not limited to wood, stainless steel, aluminum.