[001]The present disclosure relates to shopping cart. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to self-service shopping cart.
BACKGROUND
[002]In shopping mall customers generally have to stand in long queues at a
checkout counter due to the rush for checkout. The customers generally purchase plurality of
products that the checkout operator need to scan individually that consumes lots of time.
Thus, valuable time of customers is wasted at the checkout counters. Also, customers have to
spend lots of time in searching for a product that they intend to purchase because he or she
doesn't know if their products are present in the supermarket or the respective shopping mall.
[003] Further, sometimes products have certain offers of the products such as
discount that is valid for that particular time of day or specific to that day. However, there is no way for customer to check such details. Also, the customers intend to know the actual price of the item that he/she wish to purchase and also the total bill amount that the user need to pay to complete the purchase.
[004] There is, therefore, a need in the art to provide a self-service shopping cart that
enables a user to get information related to product that he/she intends to buy as well as get an estimated bill amount that user needs to pay to complete a purchase.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLSOSURE
[005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment
herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a self-service shopping cart.
[007] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a self-service shopping
cart that enables generating a bill of objects user intends to purchase.
[008] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a self-service shopping
cart that displays details about the product.
[009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a self-service shopping
cart that enables checking if the object has any offers.

[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a self-service shopping
cart that is energy efficient and self-chargeable i.e. does not require external power source for operation.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure relates to shopping cart. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to self-service shopping cart.
[0012] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a self-service cart. In an aspect,
the shopping cart includes: a frame adapted with a storage area, the storage area accessible
through a controllable lid, the frame having wheels to facilitate movement of the cart; a
sensor-detector unit comprising: a scanner disposed on the frame and external to the storage
area configured to extract one or more attributes associated with the article, and wherein at
least one attribute of the extracted one or more attributes is weight of the article; and a first
set of sensors disposed in the storage area and configured to measure weight of the article;
and a control unit operatively coupled to the sensor detector unit, said control unit configured
to compare the determined weight and the extracted weigh, wherein based on positive
comparison, confirmation of article is enabled.
[0013] In an embodiment, the cart comprises a display unit coupled to the frame, the
display unit configured to display any or a combination of the extracted one or more
attributes and the confirmed article.
[0014] In an embodiment, the cart comprises a rotary device coupled with the lid, and
the rotary device operatively coupled with the control unit, and wherein the control unit
configured to enable opening and closing of the lid.
[0015] In an embodiment, the rotary device is selected from a group consisting of any
of a servo motor, a stepper motor, an AC motor, a DC motor, and an actuator.
[0016] In an embodiment, the control unit configured to open the lid based on the
article scanned at the scanner.
[0017] In an embodiment, the cart comprises a second set of sensors disposed internal
to the storage area, the second set of sensors operatively coupled with the control unit to
detect an event of removal of the article or placing of the article in said storage area.
[0018] In an embodiment, the lid is configured to remain open for a pre-defined time
period after scanning of the article by the scanner, and wherein the control unit configured to
keep the lid open for the pre-defined time period based on detection of the event.

[0019] In an embodiment, the one or more attributes comprises any or a combination
of name of the article, details of the article, offers on the article and quantity of the article.
[0020] In an embodiment, the cart comprises an optical image sensor disposed interior
to the storage area, the optical image sensors configured to count number of the articles in the storage area.
[0021] In an embodiment, the first set of sensors comprises a piezoelectric transducer
operatively coupled with a battery, the piezoelectric configured to generate electric power and wherein the battery is charged by the generated electric power.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same
reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by
following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is
applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of side view of self-service
shopping cart in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of block diagram representation
of self-service shopping cart system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of block diagram representation
of proposed piezoelectric sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0027] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be
described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps

may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, firmware and/or by human operators.
[0028] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer
program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[0029] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more
machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with
appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus
for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more
computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems
containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with
various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be
accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0030] If the specification states a component or feature "may", "can", "could", or
"might" be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0031] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0032] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the

invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and
functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both
currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements
developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[0033] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and
described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only.
Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent
to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as
described in the claim.
[0034] The present disclosure relates to shopping cart. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to self-service shopping cart.
[0035] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a self-service cart. In an aspect,
the shopping cart includes: a frame adapted with a storage area, the storage area accessible
through a controllable lid, the frame having wheels to facilitate movement of the cart; a
sensor-detector unit comprising: a scanner disposed on the frame and external to the storage
area configured to extract one or more attributes associated with the article, and wherein at
least one attribute of the extracted one or more attributes is weight of the article; and a first
set of sensors disposed in the storage area and configured to measure weight of the article;
and a control unit operatively coupled to the sensor detector unit, said control unit configured
to compare the determined weight and the extracted weigh, wherein based on positive
comparison, confirmation of article is enabled.
[0036] In an embodiment, the cart comprises a display unit coupled to the frame, the
display unit configured to display any or a combination of the extracted one or more
attributes and the confirmed article.
[0037] In an embodiment, the cart comprises a rotary device coupled with the lid, and
the rotary device operatively coupled with the control unit, and wherein the control unit
configured to enable opening and closing of the lid.
[0038] In an embodiment, the rotary device is selected from a group consisting of any
of a servo motor, a stepper motor, an AC motor, a DC motor, and an actuator.
[0039] In an embodiment, the control unit configured to open the lid based on the
article scanned at the scanner.
[0040] In an embodiment, the cart comprises a second set of sensors disposed internal
to the storage area, the second set of sensors operatively coupled with the control unit to
detect an event of removal of the article or placing of the article in said storage area.
6

[0041] In an embodiment, the lid is configured to remain open for a pre-defined time
period after scanning of the article by the scanner, and wherein the control unit configured to
keep the lid open for the pre-defined time period based on detection of the event.
[0042] In an embodiment, the one or more attributes comprises any or a combination
of name of the article, details of the article, offers on the article and quantity of the article.
[0043] In an embodiment, the cart comprises an optical image sensor disposed interior
to the storage area, the optical image sensors configured to count number of the articles in the
storage area.
[0044] In an embodiment, the first set of sensors comprises a piezoelectric transducer
operatively coupled with a battery, the piezoelectric configured to generate electric power
and wherein the battery is charged by the generated electric power.
[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of side view of self-service
shopping cart in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0046] In an embodiment, a self-service cart 100 can include a frame 102. The frame
102 of the cart 100 can be configured such that a storage area is formed. The storage area can
include a lid 112 coupled to upper surface of the storage area. The storage area can be used
for storing of an article until a purchase is completed. The lid 112 can be used to restrict or
allow access to the storage area.
[0047] In an embodiment, the lid 112 can be coupled with a rotary device (not
shown). The rotary device can be used for closing and opening the lid 112. When the lid is
open access to the storage is allowed and when the lid 112 is closed access to the storage area
is restricted. In an embodiment, the rotary device can include but not limited to a servo
motor, a stepper motor, an AC motor, a DC motor, an actuator and the like.
[0048] In an embodiment, the cart 100 can include a scanner detector unit (not shown)
that can be used to detect articles or read details related to the articles. In an embodiment, the
scanner detector unit can include a scanner 104 disposed on the frame 102. The scanner 104
is coupled with the frame 102 such that the scanner 104 is disposed external to the storage
area. In an embodiment, the scanner 104 can be used to scan an article from a shopping
store/super-market. In an embodiment, the article can include any or a combination of a bar
code, a QR code imprinted on the article that the scanner 104 can scan to display the details
associated with the article on a display (not shown) of the cart 100.
[0049] In an embodiment, when the article is scanned at the scanner 104 the lid 112
open to enable a user to place the article in the storage area. Further, the lid can be configured
to remain open for a pre-defined period of time such that after completion of the pre-defined
7

period of time the lid 112 closes. Further, the cart comprises a second set of sensors 110. The
second set of sensors 110 can be coupled with the frame 102 such that the second set of
sensors 110 is disposed interior to the storage area. The second set of sensors 110 can be
adapted to check an event if the article is being placed or the article is being removed. For
example, when the article is scanned by the scanner 104 the lid 112 open for the pre-defined
period of time to enable the user to place the article in the storage area and the lid will 112
closes after completion of the pre-defined time period. However, if the second set of sensors
detects an event of movement in the storage area the lid 112 remains open for another
duration of the pre-defined time period.
[0050] In an embodiment, the first set of sensors 106 can include a piezoelectric
transducer operatively coupled with a battery, the first set of sensors configured to generate
electric power and wherein the battery is charged by the generated electric power. In an
embodiment, the battery can include a rechargeable battery. The battery can be used to power
various components of the cart 100.
[0051] In an embodiment, the scanner 104 can be used to extract one or more
attributes associated with the article. At least one attribute of the extracted one or more
attributes associated with the article can include weight of the article.
[0052] In an embodiment, the cart 100 comprises a first set of sensors 106 to measure
one or more attributes of the article. In an embodiment, at least one attribute of the one or
more attributes includes weight of the article. The first set of sensors can be operatively
coupled with a control unit (not shown).
[0053] In an embodiment, the control unit can be operatively coupled with the rotary
device, the scanner 104, the first set of sensors 106 and the second set of sensors 110. The
control unit can be used to compare the extracted weight with the measured weight. Now, if
the extracted weight and the measured weight are same, then it can be confirmed that the
article scanned is the same article that is placed on the first set of sensors 106 in the storage
area.
[0054] It would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the technique can
be used to check if any article other than the article scanned at the scanner is placed. Thus,
can be used to keep a check on commencement of any fraudulent activities.
[0055] In an embodiment, we can use an Open-CV technology to detect how many
products are put by customer in the shopping cart. In this technology camera counts the
number of products put in shopping cart by the customer. If customer scanned one product
and try to put product more than one product in the shopping cart then it rings the buzzer so
8

that seller knows customer is putting more products in shopping without scanning them. So,
this feature can make our product more secure and more trustful.
[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of block diagram representation
of self-service shopping cart system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0057] In an embodiment, a self-service shopping cart system 200 comprises a control
unit 202. In an embodiment, the control unit 202 can include one or more processors or
controllers. Examples of controllers include, but are not limited to PIC® 16F877A
microcontroller, AVR® ATmega8 & ATmega16, Renesas® microcontroller and the like.
Examples of processor can include, but are not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2
processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s), Motorola® lines of
processors, FortiSOC™ system on a chip processors or other future processors.
[0058] In an embodiment, the system 200 can include a reader 204 operatively
coupled with the control unit 202. The scanner 204 can be used for extracting one or more
attributes associated with the article being scanned.
[0059] In an embodiment, the system can include a memory 206 operatively coupled
with the control unit 202.
[0060] In an embodiment, the system 200 can include a second set of sensors 208
operatively coupled with the control unit 202 to check motion inside the storage area of the
cart 102.
[0061] In an embodiment, the system 200 can include a first set of sensors 206
operatively coupled with the control unit 202 to measure the weight of the article. Further, the
system can include a battery 214 for powering up various components of the system 200. In
an embodiment, the system 200 can include a second set of sensors 216. The second set of
sensors 216 can include a piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric transducer to generate
electric power when pressure is applied to the piezoelectric. The generated power can be used
to charge the battery 214.
[0062] In an embodiment, the system can include a display unit 210 to display any or
a combination of the extracted one or more attributes and the confirmed article.
[0063] In an embodiment, the system 100 can include a rotary device coupled and the
rotary device 212 operatively coupled with the control unit. The rotary device 212 can be
selectively rotated based on instructions from the control unit.
[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of block diagram representation
of proposed piezoelectric sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
9

[0065] In an embodiment, the output of piezoelectric plate 302 on AC bridge circuit
306. The differential output voltage of the AC bridge circuit 306 is given to the HX711 module 308. The HX711 module 308 is a 24-bit analog to digital converter designed for weigh scale. Voltage (or electrical signal) generated by the mechanical force applied when customer place a product on shopping cart then this voltage (or electrical signal) goes to AC bridge circuit 306 and the differential output voltage is given to the HX711 module 308 and its output is connected to MCU 310 (microcontroller unit). In that way we find the actual weight of the product by using the piezoelectric plate. In shopping cart system 100 we can compare the weight generated by piezoelectric plates with the extracted weight by the reader. If both weights are equal then it’s verified that customer placed a same product that scanned by the barcode reader. If not then it will give the indication to the seller by ringing the alarm system and also send indication on main server. The LTC3588 304 could be used to harvest the energy provided by the piezoelectric plats to charge the battery and give the input voltage to AC bridge circuit 306 simultaneously.
[0066] In an embodiment, a buck-boost converter 312 can be used for increasing or
decreasing the input voltage. The buck-boost converter 312 can increase the input voltage from the range of mV to V for example, 5v to 10v that is generated by the piezoelectric plate 302, thereby increasing charging speed of rechargeable battery.
[0067] Although the proposed system has been elaborated as above to include all the
main parts, it is completely possible that actual implementations may include only a part of
the proposed modules/engines or a combination of those or a division of those in various
combinations across multiple devices that can be operatively coupled with each other,
including in the cloud. Further the modules/engines can be configured in any sequence to
achieve objectives elaborated. Also, it can be appreciated that proposed system can be
configured in a computing device or across a plurality of computing devices operatively
connected with each other, wherein the computing devices can be any of a computer, a
laptop, a smart phone, an Internet enabled mobile device and the like. All such modifications
and embodiments are completely within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0068] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented entirely
hardware, entirely software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or combining software and hardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present
10

disclosure may take the form of a computer program product comprising one or more
computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
[0069] Thus, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named.
[0070] 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.
[0071] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications
besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C …. and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
11

[0072] 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 PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0073] The present disclosure provides a self-service shopping cart.
[0074] The present disclosure provides a self-service shopping cart that enables
generating a bill of objects user intends to purchase.
[0075] The present disclosure provides a self-service shopping cart that displays
details about the product.
[0076] The present disclosure provides a self-service shopping cart that enables
checking if the object has any offers.
[0077] The present disclosure provides a self-service shopping cart that is energy
efficient and self-chargeable i.e. does not require external power source for operation.

We Claim:

A self-service cart, said cart comprising:
a frame adapted with a storage area, the storage area accessible through a controllable lid, the frame having wheels to facilitate movement of the cart; a sensor-detector unit comprising:
a scanner disposed on the frame and external to the storage area configured to extract one or more attributes associated with the article, and wherein at least one attribute of the extracted one or more attributes is weight of the article; and
a first set of sensors disposed in the storage area and configured to measure weight of the article; and a control unit operatively coupled to the sensor detector unit, said control unit configured to compare the determined weight and the extracted weigh, wherein based on positive comparison, confirmation of article is enabled. The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cart comprises a display unit coupled to the frame, the display unit configured to display any or a combination of the extracted one or more attributes and the confirmed article.
The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cart comprises a rotary device coupled with the lid, and the rotary device operatively coupled with the control unit, and wherein the control unit configured to enable opening and closing of the lid.
The cart as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rotary device is selected from a group consisting of any of a servo motor, a stepper motor, an AC motor, a DC motor, and an actuator.
The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit configured to open the lid based on the article scanned at the scanner.
The cart as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cart comprises a second set of sensors disposed internal to the storage area, the second set of sensors operatively coupled with the control unit to detect an event of removal of the article or placing of the article in said storage area.
The cart as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lid is configured to remain open for a pre-defined time period after scanning of the article by the scanner, and wherein the control unit configured to keep the lid open for the pre-defined time period based on detection of the event.

The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more attributes comprises any or a
combination of name of the article, details of the article, offers on the article and quantity
of the article.
The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cart comprises an optical image sensor
disposed interior to the storage area, the optical image sensors configured to count
number of the articles in the storage area.
The cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first set of sensors comprises a piezoelectric
transducer operatively coupled with a battery, the piezoelectric configured to generate
electric power and wherein the battery is charged by the generated electric power.