The present invention, in general, relates to shopping carts, and more specifically, relates to a shopping cart for automatically detecting items and generating bills using integrated point of sale device, that eliminate requirement of standing in a long queue, also notify the storekeeper when the customer is found suspicious by his activities.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. [0003] Currently, in shopping malls, the use of small-wheeled carts for groceries in self-service stores has become quite prevalent. As shopping is a necessity for everyone and it is done from various places such as local retail shops, mini stores and mega marts, everyone has experienced throughout the shopping procedure long queues and that is the most frustrating part of any shopping experience. Now, the problem here can be seen in two ways, firstly the consumer must wait in hefty queues in the stores to check out and secondly the store owners may need to spend a lot of more personnel time at cash counters. [0004] In general, shopping carts have always been a vital part of the shopping experience. Adding additional features to the shopping carts would make the experience more comfortable and better and reduce work for the shopper.
[0005] Customers take carts from a supply near the store entrance and push the carts along as they travel through the store. Groceries from the shelves are deposited in the carts as each customer makes his/her selection. When a customer has completed his purchases, he pushes the cart to the checkout counter. The customer, the checker, or another attendant may lift the groceries from the cart onto the checkout counter where they are checked and bagged. However, the

existing system enables the customer to stand in queues for a long period to do the
payment.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need in art to develop a convenient, autonomous,
comfortable, interactive shopping cart, to make the shopping experience easier
and better by automatically detecting the items and its quantity as soon as the item
is dropped in the cart.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0008] The general object of the present disclosure is to provide smart
shopping cart that is convenient to shoppers.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a shopping cart
that saves time and effort as the shopper are not required to wait in the long
queues.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a shopping cart
with an in-built automated payment system.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a shopping cart
with an interactive user interface.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a shopping cart
which is automated to make shopping easier and convenient.
[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a shopping cart
that is user-friendly.
[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a shopping cart
that benefit the store owners, as they are not required to perform manual scanning
and checkout.
SUMMARY
[0015] Various aspects of the present disclosure relates to shopping cart, and in particular the present disclosure relates to a shopping cart for automatically detecting items and generating bills using integrated point of sale device, that

eliminate requirement of standing in a long queue, also notify the storekeeper
when the customer is found suspicious by his activities.
[0016] According to an aspect, the present disclosure provides a shopping cart
having a basket for holding one or more items selected by a shopper, a unique
identifier disposed on the basket, and configured to detect one or more items to
be placed in the basket, a first sensor may be configured to detect quantity of each
item placed in the basket, a display unit may be disposed on the basket and
configured to display information received from the unique identifier and the first
sensor, a control unit may be operatively coupled to the unique identifier and the
first sensor.
[0017] In an aspect, the control unit may be configured to receive information
including name and quantity of each of the items placed in the basket from the
unique identifier and the sensor respectively, extract cost of each of the items
from a dataset stored in a memory of the control unit, and correspondingly
determine total cost of the one or more items found in the basket, generate, a bill
based on the quantity and the cost of the one or more items found in the basket,
and display the bill on the display unit.
[0018] In an aspect, a point of sale device may be disposed on the basket, the
point of sale device may be configured to enable the shopper to make payment
through the basket. The control unit may be further configured to receive one or
more activities of hand of the shopper in the basket through a second sensor,
analyse the received one or more activities; and transmit an alert signal to actuate
an alert unit, upon detection of a suspicious activity.
[0019] In an aspect, the suspicious activity may be an attempt to hide one or
more items in the basket.
[0020] In an aspect, the unique identifier may be selected from a group of
barcode reader, RFID reader, NFC reader, and QR reader.
[0021] In an aspect, the first sensor may include any or a combination of
weight sensor, load cell, and pressure sensor.
[0022] In an aspect, the second sensor may include a passive infrared (PIR)
sensor.

[0023] In an aspect, the point of sale device may be selected from a group of
credit card reader, smart card reader, biometric reader, UPI reader, and bank
transfer application.
[0024] In an aspect, upon removal of the one or more items from the basket, the
associated price of the item may be removed from the bill.
[0025] In an aspect, the point of sale device may be further configured to
receive a payment transaction authorization, and generate a payment confirmation
signal, upon receiving the payment, where the payment confirmation signal may
be displayed on the display unit.
[0026] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method of
shopping, the method may include reading, information of one or more items
detected in a basket via a unique identifier and a first sensor, extracting cost of
each of the items from a dataset stored in a memory, determining total cost of the
one or more items found in the basket, paying total cost of purchased one or more
items from a point of sale device and transmitting, bill to a mobile computing
device.
[0027] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method for
detecting suspicious activity in a shopping cart, the method may include receiving
of one or more activities of hand of the shopper in the basket through a second
sensor, analysing the received one or more activities by a control unit,
transmitting, an alert signal upon detection of a suspicious activity, and actuating,
an alert unit, upon receiving the alert signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0028] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0029] The diagrams described herein are for illustration only, which thus are not limitations of the present disclosure, and wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a shopping cart, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram to detect suspicious
activity in the shopping cart, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary internal view of a shopping cart, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of a display unit, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method of shopping through a
shopping cart in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method for detecting suspicious
activity in a shopping cart in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Embodiment explained herein relates to shopping cart, and in particular the present disclosure provides a shopping cart for automatically detecting items and generating bills using integrated point of sale device, that eliminate requirement of standing in a long queue, also notify the storekeeper when the customer is found suspicious by his activities.
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a shopping cart, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary representation of a shopping cart, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, a shopping cart 100 is disclosed to enhance a shopper's shopping experience, the shopping cart 100 can include a basket 102 configured to receive and accommodate one or more items (collectively referred as items, and individually referred as item, hereinafter). The basket 100 can include a unique identifier 104 disposed on the basket 102, and the unique identifier 104 being configured to detect one or more items to be placed in the basket.
[0039] The basket 102 can include space for receiving and accommodating items, a handle can be mounted on the basket 102, to hold the basket 102, and one or more caster wheels can be attached to lower frame of the shopping cart. The one or more caster wheels can be configured to provide mobility, i.e. to move the shopping cart 100 from one location to another.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the unique identifier 104 can include a barcode reader, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader, a Near Field Communication (NFC) reader, and a Quick Response (QR) reader, but not limited to the like. For example, the unique identifier 104 can scan the item and extract the item information which is already stored in a memory, such as cost of an item, price per weight, nutrition information, item ingredients and item warnings including potential allergens, gluten content, artificial sweeteners and colours but not limited to the like.
[0041] In an embodiment, a first sensor 106 can be disposed on the basket 102, and the first sensor 106 can be configured to detect quantity of each item placed in the basket 102. The first sensor 106 can include weight sensor, load cell, weighing scale, and pressure sensor, but not limited to like. [0042] For example, when a loose item is placed in the basket 102, the pressure on the weighing scale can be used to determine its weight. [0043] In an embodiment, a second sensor 114 can by disposed on the basket 102, and can be configured detect one or more activities of hand of the shopper in the basket. The second sensor 114 can be a passive infrared (PIR) sensor that detect hand movement of the shopper in the basket.

[0044] In an embodiment, a display unit 108 can be disposed on the basket 102 and configured to display information received from the unique identifier 104 and the first sensor 106. In another embodiment, a user interface device 114, maybe attached to the handle 104. The display unit 108 can be an interactive touchscreen unit or one or more buttons can be provided to provide input. It can be Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode display (LED), but not limited to the same. The display unit 108 can display item's information and payment information.
[0045] In an embodiment, the shopping cart 100 can include a control unit 110 operatively coupled to the unique identifierl04 and the first sensor 106. As illustrated in an embodiment, the control unit 110 can include one or more processor(s). The one or more processor(s) can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) can be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory of the one control unit 110. The memory can store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which can be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service. The memory can include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0046] In an embodiment, the control unit 110 also include interface(s). The interface(s) may include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, and the like. [0047] In an embodiment, the control unit 110 can be configured to receive information including name and quantity of each of the items placed in the basket from the unique identifier and the sensor respectively, and extract name cost and price of each of the item from a dataset stored in a memory of the control unit 110. The control unit 110 can be further configured to determine total cost of the items found in the basket based on the received information, and a bill can be

generated based on the quantity and the cost of the one or more items found in the basket. The generated bill can be displayed on the display unit 108. [0048] In an embodiment, upon removal of the one or more items from the basket 102, the associated price of the item can be removed from the bill, and the new bill can be shown on the display unit 110. For example, when a first item is placed in the basket, information such as and name, weight, and cost of the first item can be added in the bill, and shown on the display unit 108. In addition, upon detection of second item in the basket 102, the name, weight, and cost of the second item can be added with the information of the first item and can be shown on the display unit 108. Similarly, when any item is removed from the basket 102, the cost can be deducted accordingly.
[0049] In an embodiment, the control unit 110 can be further configured to receive one or more activities (collectively referred as activities, and individually referred as activity) of hand of the shopper in the basket 112 through the second sensor 114, and analyse the received activities by comparing the received activities with already stored activities in the dataset. Upon detection of a suspicious activity transmit an alert signal to actuate an alert unit. [0050] In an embodiment, the shopping cart 100 can include a point of sale device 112 (interchangeably referred as POS 112, hereinafter) disposed on the basket 102. The POS 112 can be configured to enable the shopper to make payment through the basket 102. The POS 112 can be credit card reader, smart card reader, biometric reader, UPI reader, and bank transfer application, but not limited to the like.
[0051] In an embodiment, the POS 112 can be operatively coupled to the control unit 100, and can be configured to receive a payment transaction authorization, and generate a payment confirmation signal, upon receiving the payment from the shopper, where the payment confirmation signal can be displayed on the display unit 108. The POS 112 can be configured to transmit signals to the display unit 108, which may reflect the shopping cart 100 status and payment status, and issue the payment confirmation signal to confirm that a payment from the user has been received successfully.

[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram to detect suspicious activity in the shopping cart, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, a basket 102 can be configured for detecting suspicious in the basket. The suspected activities can be hiding an item in the basket 102 without scanning. The basket 102 can include a second sensor 114 configured to detect one or more activities performed by hand of the shopper in the basket. The shopper can pick any item form the shop and can placed in the basket 102. Upon placing the item in the basket 102, the item can be scanned by the unique identifier 104 to get information of the item, however, the shopper can make an effort to hide the item i.e. placing the item in the basket without scanning the item through the unique identifier 104.
[0054] In an embodiment, the second sensor 114 can be a passive infrared (PIR) sensor that can be used to detect movement of hand in the basket. In general, the shopper place the item in the basket, and pick the item from the basket, these activities can be detected by the PIR sensor. When a suspicious activity is detected such as hiding the item, try to place the item in the basket from bottom side to avoid scanning of the item, these can be detected by the PIR sensor 114. Upon detection of suspicious activity, the PIR sensor 114 can generate an alert signal. The generated alert signal can be transmitted to an alert unit 204 through a communication unit 202.
[0055] In an embodiment, the communication unit 202 can include any or combination of Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Module, Bluetooth Module, Li-Fi Module, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), ZigBee, and etc. [0056] In an embodiment, the alert unit 204 can be actuated upon receiving the alert signals. The alert unit 204 can include any or a combination of alarm, siren, LEDs, vibration unit, and the likes. Upon actuation of the alert unit 204, an acoustic signal can be produced that notify the storekeeper that the shopper of the basket 102 (for example, basket no. 5) is trying to hide the item or steal the item. The shopper can check the basket of the shopper of the basket no. 5 to get hidden item.

[0057] In an embodiment, the alert unit 204 can be disposed on the basket
102, or can be coupled to a pre-defined position in the shop or store, thereby
enabling the store owner, or shopkeeper to be notified, when the shopper is trying
to steal the item.
[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary internal view of a shopping cart, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0059] As illustrated in FIG.3, an internal view of a basket 102 is disclosed, a
unique identifier 104 can be positioned on the base of the basket 102 (as shown in
FIG. 3), or the unique identifier 104 can be positioned on top side of the basket
102, that enables the shopper to scanning of each of the item. A display unit 108
can be position to display information, bill, and other information. A power
source 206 such as battery can be configured to provide electricity to the control
unit 110, the unique identifier 104, the first sensor 106, and the second sensor 114.
[0060] In an embodiment, the power source 206 can contemplated including,
but not limited to, rechargeable battery, NiCad battery, lithium (Li) ion cell,
rechargeable cells, solar cell, solar battery, electrochemical cells, storage battery,
secondary cell, etc.
[0061] In an embodiment, a communication unit 202 such as Wireless
Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Module, Bluetooth Module, and etc. can be configured to the
basket 102, and facilitates in establishing communication between various
components of the shopping cart 100.
[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of a display unit, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 4, a display unit 108 is disclosed, the display unit
108 can be operatively coupled with a control unit 110, and can display name,
cost, and total cost of the bill. Also bill can be displayed on the display unit 108,
and payment option can be displayed.
[0064] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method of shopping through a
shopping cart in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 5, the method 500 for shopping through a shopping
cart 100 is disclosed. The method 500 can be implemented using a control unit
110, at step 502, a unique identifier 104 can be configured for reading information
of one or more items detected in a basket, and receiving quantity of the associated
item through a first sensor 106 such as weight sensor.
[0066] At step 504, the control unit 110 can be configured for determining
total cost of the one or more items found in the basket. The cost of each item can
be stored in a dataset in a memory, and the total cost can be determined by
calculating cost of the item and weight of the item.
[0067] At step 506, the method 500 can include payment of total cost of
purchased one or more items via a point of sale device (POS) 112. The POS 112
can be disposed on the basket 102 and can be configured to enable the shopper to
make payment through the basket 102.
[0068] At step 508, the method 500 can include generation of bill and
transmission of the bill to a mobile computing device of the shopper through a
communication unit 202, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Also, the bill can be stored
on a server of the storekeeper.
[0069] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method for detecting suspicious
activity in a shopping cart in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, the method 600 for detecting suspicious activity
in a shopping cart is disclosed. The method 600 can be implemented using a
control unit 110, at step 602, the control unit 110 can be configured for receiving
one or more activities of hand of a shopper in a basket 102. The one or more
activities of hand of the shopper can be detected through a second sensor 114, i.e.
PIR sensor.
[0071] At step 604, the method can include analysing of the received one or
more activities by the control unit 110, by comparing the received activities with a
set of pre-stored activities.
[0072] At step 606, the method can include generation of an alert signal upon
detection of a suspicious activity, the generated alert signal can be transmitted to

an alert unit 204. The alert unit 204 can include but not limited to buzzer, siren, LEDs, and the likes.
[0073] At step 608, the method can include actuation of the alert unit, upon receiving the alert signal, the alert unit can produce acoustic signal to notify the storekeeper, also a LEDs can be actuated with a siren to notify the storekeeper that the shopper is trying to hide an item in the basket.
[0074] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean "communicatively coupled with" over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[0075] The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only. Many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the subject matter, which is intended to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.
[0076] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0077] The present disclosure provides a smart shopping cart that is convenient to shoppers.

[0078] The present disclosure provides a shopping cart that saves time and
effort as the shopper are not required to wait in the long queues.
[0079] The present disclosure provides a shopping cart with an in-built
automated payment system.
[0080] The present disclosure provides a shopping cart with an interactive
user interface.
[0081] The present disclosure provides a shopping cart which is automated to
make shopping easier and convenient.
[0082] The present disclosure provides a shopping cart that is user-friendly.
[0083] The present disclosure provides a shopping cart that benefit the store
owners, as they are not required to perform manual scanning and checkout.

We Claim:

1. A shopping cart 100 comprising:
a basket 102 for holding one or more items selected by a shopper;
a unique identifier 104 disposed on said basket, said unique identifier being configured to detect one or more items to be placed in the basket;
a first sensor 106 configured to detect quantity of each item placed in the basket;
a display unit 108 disposed on the basket and configured to display information received from the unique identifier and the first sensor;
a control unit 110 operatively coupled to the unique identifier 104 and the first sensor 106 , the control unit 110 configured to:
receive information including name and quantity of each of the items placed in the basket from the unique identifier and the sensor respectively;
extract cost of each of the items from a dataset stored in a memory of the control unit, and correspondingly determine total cost of the one or more items found in the basket;
generate, a bill based on the quantity and the cost of the one or more items found in the basket; and
display the bill on the display unit 108; a point of sale device 112 disposed on the basket, the point of sale device configured to enable the shopper to make payment through the basket.
the control unit 100 further configured to:
receive one or more activities of hand of the shopper in the basket through a second sensor 114;
analyse the received one or more activities; and

transmit an alert signal to actuate an alert unit 116, upon detection of a suspicious activity.
2. The shopping cart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspicious activity is attempt to hide one or more items in the basket.
3. The shopping cart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said unique identifier 104 is selected from a group of barcode reader, RFID reader, NFC reader, and QR reader.
4. The shopping cart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sensor 106 comprises any or a combination of weight sensor, load cell, and pressure sensor.
5. The shopping cart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
sensor 114 comprises a passive infrared (PIR) sensor.
6. The shopping cart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the point of
sale device identifier is selected from a group of credit card reader,
smart card reader, biometric reader, UPI reader, and bank transfer
application.
7. The shopping cart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein upon removal of the one or more items from the basket, the associated price of the item is removed from the bill.
8. The shopping cart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the point of sale device 112 is further configured to:
receive a payment transaction authorization; and
generate a payment confirmation signal, upon receiving the
payment, wherein the payment confirmation signal is displayed on the
display unit.
9. A method 500 of shopping comprising:
reading, information of one or more items detected in a basket via a unique identifier and a first sensor;
extracting, cost of each of the items from a dataset stored in a memory; determining, total cost of the one or more items found in the basket;

paying, total cost of purchased one or more items from a point of sale device; and
transmitting, bill to a mobile computing device. 10. A method 600 for detecting suspicious activity in a shopping cart, the method comprising:
receiving, one or more activities of hand of the shopper in the basket through a second sensor;
analysing the received one or more activities by a control unit; transmitting, an alert signal upon detection of a suspicious activity; and actuating, an alert unit, upon receiving the alert signal.