Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an electronic billing system and particularly to a cloud assisted automatic billing system for shopping centers.
Description of Related Art
[002] In traditional retail environments, shoppers encounter several inefficiencies that negatively impact their shopping experience. Common challenges include long checkout queues, frequent manual billing errors, and the lack of a system that allows customers to track their total purchases in real-time. These issues not only lead to customer dissatisfaction but also cause operational delays, especially in small and medium-sized shopping malls where automation and technological solutions are often limited.
[003] Existing solutions have attempted to address these problems through various forms of automation, such as automated billing carts and intelligent shopping systems. Prior arts such as an Indian Patent document 202141061351 discloses a ‘Smart Shopping Cart with Automated Billing System’ and a United State Patent document 2023245221A1 discloses an ‘Interactive Shopping System’. The disclosed prior arts offer partial automation by integrating scanners and digital displays into the shopping process. However, solutions exhibited by the disclosed prior arts often fall short in providing real-time data transmission, seamless user experience, and full integration between the cart and centralized data systems.
[004] Moreover, while smart shopping carts have been designed to aid in billing and item tracking, many existing systems are not scalable, lack real-time cloud integration, or require significant infrastructure changes, which limits their application in smaller retail environments.
[005] The challenge persists in finding a scalable, real-time, and fully automated solution that integrates billing and shopping functions, improves efficiency, and enhances the overall customer experience without requiring significant changes to existing infrastructure.
[006] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced cloud assisted automatic billing system for shopping centers that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a cloud assisted automatic billing system for shopping centers. The system comprising: an identifier node adapted to identify a shopping trolley and a location of the shopping trolley based on a unique identifier code of the shopping trolley. The system further comprising: a scanner unit integrated into the shopping trolley, and adapted to scan articles accommodated in the shopping trolley to generate a scanner data. The system further comprising: a weighing unit, integrated into the shopping trolley, and adapted to measure a cumulative weight of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley. The system further comprising: a communication node, integrated into the shopping trolley, and adapted to generate and transmit a shopping information comprising the scanner data, the measured cumulative weight of the articles, and a location of the shopping trolley to a local server via a local area network. The local server is adapted to transmit the received shopping information to a cloud server. The system further comprising: a processing unit located on the cloud server. The processing unit is configured to: generate a preliminary bill using the received shopping information; determine a manipulation of the articles based on a change in the cumulative weight after a programmed duration of time; and enable a lid to close the shopping trolley after generation of a final payable bill upon detecting no change in the cumulative weight of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley.
[008] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for shopping using a shopping trolley integrated with a cloud assisted automatic billing system. The method comprising steps of: enabling a user to accommodate a shopping trolley with selected articles; scanning the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley; measuring a cumulative weight of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley; generating a shopping information comprising the scanner data, the measured cumulative weight of the articles, and a location of the shopping trolley; transmitting the generated shopping information to a local server via a local area network; transmitting the shopping information to a cloud server; generating a preliminary bill using the received shopping information; determining a manipulation of the articles based on a change in the cumulative weight after a programmed duration of time; and enabling a lid to close the shopping trolley after generation of the bill upon detecting no change in the cumulative weight of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley.
[009] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a cloud assisted automatic billing system for shopping centers
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a cloud assisted automatic billing system that enables instant billing as items are scanned and placed in the trolley, eliminating the need for manual checkout and reducing waiting times at payment counters.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a cloud assisted automatic billing system that engages cloud-based servers to store and process transaction data. The system can scale easily to accommodate any number of trolleys for making it adaptable for small, medium, or even large shopping malls.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a cloud assisted automatic billing system that prevents unauthorized additions or removals of items from the trolley after checkout, ensuring accurate billing and improving overall security.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a cloud assisted automatic billing system that facilitates seamless communication between the trolley, the intermediate node, and the cloud server for ensuring efficient data transfer without physical connections.
[0014] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a cloud assisted automatic billing system that reduces long queues and tracks their purchases in real-time, enhancing their overall shopping experience and saving time.
[0015] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a cloud assisted automatic billing system that significantly reduces the risk of human error associated with manual billing and data entry.
[0016] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a cloud assisted automatic billing system that is implementable without major infrastructural changes, making it a viable and cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized shopping malls.
[0017] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a cloud assisted automatic billing system that is adaptable to different types of stores, allowing customization based on specific product scanning methods, such as RFID or barcode systems.
[0018] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0019] 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
[0020] 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:
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a cloud assisted automatic billing system for shopping centers, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a processing unit of a cloud assisted automatic billing system for shopping centers, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for shopping using a shopping trolley integrated with the cloud assisted automatic billing system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] 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
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a cloud assisted automatic billing system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100) for shopping centers, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may eliminate a step of enqueuing at a billing counter for payment of shopped articles. The system 100 may enable a user to select articles and pay instantaneously for the selected articles without an assistance from authorities such as, but not limited to, a concierge, a shopper stopper, a biller, a cashier, a kiosk, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any authorities that may be omitted by installation and utilization of the system 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] According to embodiments of the present invention, the shopping centre may be, but not limited to, a shopping mart, a mall, a grocery store, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of shopping centre, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a shopping trolley 102 in communication with a processing unit 124 located on a cloud server 122 via a local server 120 through a local area network 118.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the shopping trolley 102 may enable the user to collect and accommodate articles shopped from the shopping center. The shopping trolley 102 may further comprise cabinets (not shown) accommodating various categories of articles. The shopping trolley 102 may further comprise wheels (not shown) for a movement and maneuverability of the shopping trolley 102 across the shopping center. Further, a handle (not shown) may be situated on the shopping trolley 102 enabling the user to move and maneuver the shopping trolley 102 across the shopping center.
[0032] According to embodiments of the present invention, the shopping trolley 102 may comprise an identifier node 104, a scanner unit 106, a weighing unit 108, a communication node 110, a lid 112, an actuation unit 114, and a timer 116.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the identifier node 104 may be adapted to identify the shopping trolley 102. The identifier node 104 may allocate a unique identifier code to the shopping trolley 102. The unique identifier code may be a string of predefined characters. Further, the characters may be, but not limited to, alphabets, numbers, special characters, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any number and types of characters in the unique identifier code allocated by the identifier node 104 to the shopping trolley 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, a singular identifier node 104 may be installed in the shopping center that may identify one or more of the shopping trolley 102. According to embodiments of the present invention, a location for installation of the identifier node 104 may be, but not limited to, an entry point of the shopping center, an exit point of the shopping center, a billing point of the shopping center, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location for installation of the identifier node 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of identifier nodes may be installed in the shopping center that may identify the shopping trolley 102 among other shopping trollies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the identifier node 104 may be installed in plurality in the shopping center. For instance, there may be ‘n’ numbers of the identifier node 104. Further, installation of the identifier node 104 in the plurality may enable the system 100 to locate and tracking of the shopping trolley 102.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the shopping trolley 102 may be tracked by the identifier node 104 using processes such as a triangulation interpolation, a point to point coordinated talkback, a flash memory reembrace, a trace-back, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any processes that may be used by the identifier node 104 for locating the shopping trolley 102 in the shopping center, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] According to embodiments of the present invention, the identifier node 104 may be, but not limited to, an ultrasonic node, an infrared node, a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) node, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the identifier node 104 may be a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and ZigBee-enabled adapter. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the identifier node 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the scanner unit 106 may be installed in the shopping trolley 102. The scanner may be to scan articles accommodated in the shopping trolley 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the scanner unit 106 may be adapted to scan visuals such as, but not limited to, a bar code on the articles, a Quick Response (QR) code on the articles, a front and/or a rear image of the article, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scanner unit 106 may be adapted to scan a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) attached to the articles. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any visuals that may be scanned using the scanner unit 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, after scanning of the articles, the scanner unit 106 may be adapted to generate a scanner data. According to embodiments of the present invention, the scanner data may include details such as, but not limited to, a name of the articles, a quantity of the articles, a branding of the articles, a Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) of the articles, a discount imposed on the articles, a selling price of the articles, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any details relating to the articles that may be encapsulated in the scanner data, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0040] According to embodiments of the present invention, the scanner unit 106 may be, but not limited to, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a camera, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scanner unit 106 may be of a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) scanner. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the scanner unit 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the weighing unit 108 may be integrated into the shopping trolley 102. The weighing unit 108 may be adapted to measure a cumulative weight of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, a change in the cumulative weight of the articles may be utilized for identifying an addition and/or a removal of the articles from the shopping trolley 102. According to embodiments of the present invention, the weighing unit 108 may comprise of weighing sensor such as, but not limited to, a load cell sensor, a spring-based weighing sensor, a hydraulic weighing sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the weighing sensor that may be installed in the weighing unit 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication node 110 may be integrated into the shopping trolley 102. The communication node 110 may be adapted to generate a shopping information. The shopping information may be, but not limited to, the scanner data, the measured cumulative weight of the articles, a location of the shopping trolley 102, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of information that may encoded into the shopping information, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication node 110 may further be adapted to transmit the generated shopping information to the local server 120 via the local area network 118. According to embodiments of the present invention, the communication node 110 may be, but not limited to, a Near Field Communication (NFC) node, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) node, a Bluetooth node, a ZigBee enabled node, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication node 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lid 112 may be arranged a top of the shopping trolley 102. Moreover, the lid 112 may be placed on an inlet port of the shopping trolley 102 from the user may accommodate the articles into the shopping trolley 102. The lid 112 may be adapted to safeguard the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lid 112 may prevent an unauthorized addition and/or removal of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley 102.
[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lid 112 may comprise a manual opening-closing mechanism, that may provide a handle (not shown), that may be actuated manually by the user. In another embodiment of the present invention, the lid 112 may be automatically actuated for opening and closing using the actuation unit 114. In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation unit 114 may provide a moveable mechanism such as, but not limited to, a motor, a piston, a pneumatic actuator, a gear and ratchet mechanism, a pulley and belt mechanism, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any moveable mechanism that may be enabled using the actuation unit 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the timer 116 may be paired with the actuation unit 114. The timer 116 may be configured to initiate a countdown for a programmed duration of time. The countdown may be initiated upon receipt of an individual article inside the shopping trolley 102. Further, after lapsing the countdown programmed duration of time, the timer 116 activates the actuation unit 114 to close the lid 112 of the shopping trolley 102. The programmed duration of time may be a sufficient time in which the user that may select, pick, and accommodate the articles in the shopping trolley 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, after lapsing of the programmed duration of time, the lid 112 may be closed to prevent any unauthorized addition and/or removal of the articles.
[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the local server 120 may be adapted to receive the shopping information from the communication node 110 established in the shopping trolley 102 via the local area network 118. Further, the local server 120 may be established in a close proximity with the shopping trolley 102. The local server 120 may be centrally installed in the shopping premise, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the local server 120 may be adapted to forward the shopping information to the cloud server 122.
[0047] According to embodiments of the present invention, the local area network 118 may be, but not limited to, a Power on Ethernet (PoE) network, an infrared network, a Bluetooth network, a ZigBee network, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the local area network 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0048] According to embodiments of the present invention, the local server 120 may be, but not limited to, a sequentially paired storage device, a local database, a host server, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the local server 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 122 may be adapted to receive the shopping information from the local server 120. The cloud server 122 may be installed in a remote location with the shopping trolley 102 and the shopping premise, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the cloud server 122 may be, but not limited to, a cloud storage facility, an Internet, a web database, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the cloud server 122, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 124 may be located on the cloud server 122. The processing unit 124 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processing unit 124 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 processing unit 124 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 124 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the processing unit 124 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit 124 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 200, a data monitoring module 202, a bill generation module 204, and a payment module 206.
[0052] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the shopping information from the local server 120. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to transmit the received shopping information to the data monitoring module 202.
[0053] The data monitoring module 202 may be activated upon receipt of the shopping information from the data receiving module 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data monitoring module 202 may be configured to generate a preliminary bill using the received shopping information.
[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data monitoring module 202 may further be configured to determine the addition and/or removal of the articles based on a change in the cumulative weight after the programmed duration of time. The change in the cumulative weight after the programmed duration of time may signify that the user may either have added or removed one or more of the articles after a generation of the preliminary bill. Therefore, the calculation of the amount in the preliminary bill may now be falsified.
[0055] Moreover, if the change in the cumulative weight of the articles may be detected then the data monitoring module 202 may be configured to enable the actuation unit 114 to prevent a closure of the lid 112 of the shopping trolley 102. Furthermore, the preliminary bill may be revised and may be regenerated upon detection of change in the cumulative weight of the articles.
[0056] Additionally, the data monitoring module 202 may further be configured to generate an error signal upon variation of the cumulative weight and absence of the scanner data for the article corresponding to the variation cumulative weight. In an exemplary scenario, if the user may have accommodated a packet of chocolates of 200 grams (gm), then the cumulative weight of the articles in the shopping trolley 102 may increase by 200 grams. For instance, if there may not be a receipt of the shopping information with the scanner data of the packet of chocolates, then the data monitoring module 202 may be configured to generate the error signal.
[0057] However, if there may be no change in the cumulative weight after the programmed duration of time, then the data monitoring module 202 may be configured to transmit a billing signal to the bill generation module 204.
[0058] The bill generation module 204 may be activated upon receipt of the billing signal from the data monitoring module 202. In an embodiment of the present invention, the bill generation module 204 may be configured to enable the actuation unit 114 to permanently lock the lid 112 of the shopping trolley 102 to prevent the addition and/or the removal of the articles from the shopping trolley 102. Further, the bill generation module 204 may be configured to generate a final payable bill. The final payable bill may be paid by the user. The bill generation module 204 may be configured to transmit the final payable bill to the payment module 206.
[0059] The payment module 206 may be activated upon receipt of the final payable bill from the bill generation module 204. In an embodiment of the present invention, the payment module 206 may be configured to enable the user to settle the final payable bill. The user may settle the final payable bill using a payment means via a payment device.
[0060] According to embodiments of the present invention, the payment means may be, but not limited to, an electronic payment means, a cash means, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the payment means, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0061] According to embodiments of the present invention, the payment device may be, but not limited to, a smartphone, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, a cash ingestion machine, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the payment device, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0062] Further, upon receipt of the final payable bill, the payment module 206 may be configured to activate the actuation unit 114 to open the lid 112 of the shopping trolley 102. The opening of the lid 112 of the shopping trolley 102 may enable the user to collect the articles purchased, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for shopping using the shopping trolley 102 integrated with the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0064] At step 302, the system 100 may enable the user to accommodate the shopping trolley 102 with the selected articles.
[0065] At step 304, the system 100 may enable the scanner unit 106 to scan the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley 102.
[0066] At step 306, the system 100 may enable the weighing unit 108 to measure the cumulative weight of the accommodated articles.
[0067] At step 308, the system 100 may check if the measured cumulative weight of the accommodated articles is in line with the scanned articles. If the measured cumulative weight of the accommodated articles is in line with the scanned articles, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 310. Else, the method 300 may revert to the step 304.
[0068] At step 310, the system 100 may generate the shopping information.
[0069] At step 312, the system 100 may transmit the generated shopping information to the local server 120 via the local area network 118.
[0070] At step 314, the system 100 may forward the received shopping information from the local server 120 to the cloud server 122.
[0071] At step 316, the system 100 may generate the preliminary bill.
[0072] At step 318, the system 100 may determine a modification in the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley 102.
[0073] At step 320, if the modification in the articles may be detected, then the method 300 may revert to the step 316. Else, the method 300 may proceed to a step 322.
[0074] At step 322, the system 100 may enable the actuation unit 114 to permanently close the lid 112, and generate the final payable bill.
[0075] At step 324, the system 100 may enable the user to settle the generated final payable bill using the payment means.
[0076] 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.
[0077] 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. A cloud assisted automatic billing system (100) for shopping centers, the system (100) comprising:
an identifier node (104) adapted to identify a shopping trolley (102) and a location of the shopping trolley (102) based on a unique identifier code of the shopping trolley (102);
a scanner unit (106) integrated into the shopping trolley (102), and adapted to scan articles accommodated in the shopping trolley (102) to generate a scanner data;
a weighing unit (108), integrated into the shopping trolley (102), and adapted to measure a cumulative weight of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley (102);
a communication node (110), integrated into the shopping trolley (102), and adapted to generate and transmit a shopping information comprising the scanner data, the measured cumulative weight of the articles, and a location of the shopping trolley (102) to a local server (120) via a local area network (118), wherein the local server (120) is adapted to transmit the received shopping information to a cloud server (122);
a processing unit (124) located on the cloud server (122), characterized in that the processing unit (124) is configured to;
generate a preliminary bill using the received shopping information;
determine a manipulation of the articles based on a change in the cumulative weight after a programmed duration of time; and
enable a lid (112) to close the shopping trolley (102) after generation of a final payable bill upon detecting no change in the cumulative weight of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley (102).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (124) is configured to enable the user to settle the generated bill using a payment means.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (124) is configured to activate a timer (116), to initiate a countdown for the programmed duration of time, upon receipt of an individual article, such that a lapsing of the countdown programmed duration of time closes the lid (112) of the shopping trolley (102).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (124) is configured to prevent a closure of the lid (112) of the shopping trolley (102) upon detecting the change in the cumulative weight of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley (102).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid (112) is adapted to actuate using an actuation unit (114).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifier node (104) is a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and ZigBee-enabled adapter.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identifier node (104) is installed in location selected from an entry point of a shopping center, an exit point of the shopping center, a billing point of the shopping center, or a combination thereof.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor unit (124) is adapted to generate an error signal upon variation of the cumulative weight and absence of the scanner data for the article corresponding to the variation cumulative weight.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanner unit (106) is a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) scanner.
10. A method (300) for shopping using a shopping trolley (102) integrated with a cloud assisted automatic billing system (100), the method (300) is characterized by steps of:
enabling a user to accommodate a shopping trolley (102) with selected articles;
scanning the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley (102) using a scanner unit (106);
measuring a cumulative weight of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley (102) using a weighing unit (108);
generating a shopping information comprising the scanner data, the measured cumulative weight of the articles, and a location of the shopping trolley (102);
transmitting the generated shopping information to a local server (120) via a local area network (118);
transmitting the shopping information to a cloud server (122);
generating a preliminary bill using the received shopping information;
determining a manipulation of the articles based on a change in the cumulative weight after a programmed duration of time; and
enabling a lid (112) to close the shopping trolley (102) after generation of the bill upon detecting no change in the cumulative weight of the articles accommodated in the shopping trolley (102).
Date: October 23, 2024
Place: Noida

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