GB2495095A - Device for organising shopping, having a barcode scanner, display and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device 100 for organising shopping, comprises: a barcode scanner 3, a printer (5), a display screen 1, and a processor with internet connectivity. The barcode scanner can be used to scan items in the home as they become used or finished with. A shopping list can thus be compiled and printed. The scanner and printer may be formed into one unit which can be separated from the main body of the device. The printer and scanner may communicate wirelessly. The display may have touch screen functionality. The device may find application in the homes of elderly or vulnerable people where it can be used to help in organising shopping.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

*. . PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GBI 116684.0 RTM Dale:21 September 2012 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Wi-H Intellectual Properly Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

RUSSELL KNIGHT

FOR

AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND RELATED SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic device and related system, more particularly for organisirtg shopping for vulnerable adults.

Background and Prior Art

Increasing numbers of people are living alone in many societies as family structures alter.

A proportion of these people unfortunately require help. particularly as society moves towards care in the community and populations age.

Forgetfulness and diminished capacity can prevent basic necessities of life being completed or maintained.

A particular area of concern is therefore accurate and regular provision of food and household items.

A vast majority of household and domestic items are now provided with identifying barcodes, wherein the barcodes uniquely identify the items electronically.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an electronic device and related system for organising domestic shopping including: a scanner for reading printed barcodes, a printer, at least one display and a processor with internet connectivity.

Ideally the scanner and printer communicate wirelessly, and the scanner i portable.

Generally it is envisaged that the printer will print on paper and be accordingly of a relatively larger size, and weight and be semi-permanently fixed to a surface.

In all preferred embodiments the printer unit is provided with an interactive display, preferably said display being touch screen.

Additionally or in the alternative the printer includes an ability to process data and includes software or firmware, wherein this software may be updateable.

Ideally therefore the printer includes an upload and/or download facility which according to a second aspect of the present invention may be wired or wirelessly connected to the World Wide Web for example in order to receive updates of software and/or pricing and availability data, or may consist of a universal serial bus (USB) port.

The scanner or scanner module is preferably handheld and ergonomically portable in format. The user would typically keep the scanner in a convenient location, wherein in some embodiments a holster or holder may be included such as may be appropriate for mounting the scanner in a vertical situation. Such a holder may further comprise a docking facility, for example to charge batteries.

In the preferred embodiments the scanner may be docked into the printer when not in use, in order to download data or charge batteries. Ideally therefore the scanner and the printer are equipped with robust docking parts, which allow those with limited mobility to securely dock the scanner when required.

In this way the scanner would be readily available for use at all times, being typically located in a kitchen. The user would scan the barcode of items as they are used or finished, creating an electronic signature of data relating to the item, such as for compilation of a shopping list.

The scanner then transmits the data to the printer which is preferably able to process the data and in a minimum compile a list of scanned items.

However, preferred embodiments of the printer and/or scanner are furthermore ideally and additionally able to visualise items based on the data, and subsequently or consequently displaying the items on the display, in order that the user can view, organise or monitor a compilation.

Further embodiments of the printer and/or scanner may additionally be capable of providing additional information on the items.

In embodiments with an upload and/or download means further information may be obtained and added to the compilation, and in the alternative or addition the information may combine with a time-keeping function, for example in order that the user or a carer can schedule printing tasks and information downloads or synchronisations.

The printer and/or scanner may be attached in use to a vertical surface to minimise space usage, and accordingly is equipped with attachment method.

This method may include such as magnetic or electromagnetic portions; for example in order that the printer may be attached to a refrigerator door or side.

In some embodiments the printer may print onto standard A4 paper, ideally top-fed; however it may envisaged that due to size preferences some printers may use rolled paper.

According to a third aspect of the present invention a user such as a carer can monitor items in use, used or requiring use. This may be remotely or by viewing an onscreen history, or activating a print-out.

In this way a system may be provided by which a carer can help a user eat properly.

The system and device may furthermore allow a user access to recipes in order that healthy cooking may be facilitated and appropriate recipes may be suggested or programmed by a carer.

Access to parts of the kitchen may be restricted by the system until requirements have been met, for example the barcode of a certain item has been scanned.

The compilation or shopping list shows the user what is on their list and scanned items are added to it.

The user can get nutritional and pricing information about products via the internet connectivity or stored data. They will preferably also be able to send the shopping list to their smart phone by email or using a special phone application.

In preferred embodiments the scanner uses wireless internet to access store databases and search for items.

Therefore they can then select items to add to their list and also check any information about the item. During the week, supermarkets will send through their latest deals and expiry dates allowing the user or a carer to become aware of them and select them for their list.

The settings would allow the user to change the settings and set up the shopping assistant to their individual requirements. Previous lists allow the user to go through past shopping lists to select items they want that week. Meals and recipes allows the user to select recipes they like, the ingredients they need for them and also allows the user to work from the recipe when cooking.

The printer will print the shopping list which can then be retrieved from the back of the unit.

As an example of a user interface for the system, the following headings may be used: Shopping List; Latest Store; Deals; Search your store; Shopping List; Latest Store; Deals; Search your store; General Settings: Meals and Recipes; Previous Lists.

When not in use, the device ideally displays a clock and upon pressing Select', the home screen will appear.

The device and system are designed to help people, especially the elderly and people with disabilities remember what they need from the supermarket and the device ideally comprises a fridge unit, containing a barcode scanner and screen. The fridge unit is connected to the Internet, allowing the users to be kept up to date with deals and up to date information about the product.

Just before the user goes to the supermarket, they will take the fridge unit off the fridge and connect it to the printer base unit, or dock it.

Once connected, the user will then be able to either print the list off or send it to their Smartphone.

When the user is finished with an item of food, scanning it with the bar code scanner will add it to their shopping list.

When scanned, food will be put into food groups allowing the user to easily locate the food within the aisles.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the scanner and printer; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the scanner from Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the scanner and printer; Figure 4 shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of the scanner; And Figure 5 shows a back and side view of the scanner.

Detailed Description of Figures

The device provides an easy way to remember shopping and is designed to help the user remember what they need to buy from the supermarket.

In the preferred embodiments is made up of two different parts. firstly an interactive scanner module (10), with a screen (1), that securely sticks to the door of a refrigerator or fridge, and secondly a dock or base unit with printer (20) that allows the user to print off shopping lists and is typically plugged into mains electric.

If the user wants to send the shopping list to their Smartphone or phone, an application can be installed onto their phone that would automatically download their list.

The pictured and preferred embodiment of the printer and scanner constitutes a simple square version, that could either be touch screen (as pictured) or rely on buttons and other physical controls.

All buttons and screen visuals need to be big enough for the visually impaired to understand and see the buttons.

In the pictured embodiment the touch screen version would look and function like a Smartphone, however elderly and disabled people may find it difficult to use therefore a button version that would have big visible buttons and a scroll wheel to allow the user to easily scroll through the windows may be preferable.

The scanner (100) sits within a gentle recess in the dock (200) and when not being docked is able to magnetically attach to the fridge door.

The pictured and preferred embodiment is angled to allow the user to view it more easily and when sat in the dock (20) the screen (1) is angled down, allowing the user to see the screen more easily.

A landscape screen could sit upright within a dock, rather flat, thus saving space.

When in the dock, the scanner is either charging using induction charging or printing therefore access to the buttons should not be needed and the angle of the screen makes it easier for the user to look at when positioned on the fridge; The touch screen version has the touch screen (1) on one side and related buttons and roller wheel (2) to allow the user to easily scroll through the options.

The pictured and preferred embodiment includes the following: Barcode scanner (3), preferably as pictured positioned on the bottom or side of the fridge screen, wherein when the user has finished with an item of food, simply scanning it with the in-built barcode scanner will automatically add it to this week's shopping list; Internet card slot (4) or Wi-Fi card slot wherein the device can be connected to the internet using a Wi-Fi card. This will allow the user to receive deals, up to date pricings and information, search through the stores stock lists and download recipes and meal ideas; The dock (200), preferably as pictured this presents the screen (1) at an angle that is comfortable to view whilst also docked; Paper roll and printer unit access and egress (5); Recesses (6) to the side of the scanner module 100 will allow the users fingers to get underneath, allowing them to pull the module off the fridge door; Print button (7); Scan button for the barcode scanner (8); Printer door finger hole (9) wherein to gain access to the printer or to change the roll of paper, use the finger hole to pull the printer door open.

The printer is positioned in the raised part of the dock 200, and once the user has finalised their shopping list, they simply place the module 100 on the dock 200, allowing the shopping list to be printed.

The printing may be initiated by docking or pressing of a button or other simplified activation.

The scanner module 100 sticks to the fridge door using magnets, where finger grooves allow the user to remove the shopping assistant from the fridge door and the base the angle of the scanner allows the user to scan bigger items and its bottom is tapered to angle the barcode scanner up, thus making it easier to scan items; The pictured embodiments include the following parts: Power button 10; and Power on light and battery warning light 11.

In use a user to scan an item of food, must Press and hold the scan button; Place the item under the scanner; and When the item is scanned, an image of the item will appear on the screen to show it has now been added to the shopping list and to check shopping list by displaying all the food scanned, wherein selecting a particular item will bring up nutritional and general information about the food.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. An electronic device and related system for organising domestic shopping including: a scanner for reading printed barcodes, a printer, at least one display and a processor with internet connectivity.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the scanner and printer form one unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the unit may be separated.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the printer and scanner communicate wirelessly.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A device according to any preceding claim having a touch screen.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A system for organising shopping including any of the devices listed in previous claims.</claim-text>