Next-Gen Shopping: RFID and Image Processing Enabled Automated Trolley System for Retail Shopping

Abstract

The proposed automated trolley system is designed to enhance the retail shopping experience by integrating RFID technology for automatic product identification and billing, eliminating the need for traditional checkout queues. The system also incorporates image processing for tracking and following customers throughout the shopping process, line-following navigation for automatic parking, and sensors to avoid obstacles during movement. An external camera is used to monitor customer behaviours and gather insights into user experience. The system aims to streamline the shopping process by providing real-time billing updates, improving operational efficiency, and reducing customer wait times. The innovation is applicable not only to retail but also has potential uses in other sectors, such as education, agriculture, and military operations, through its automated features and ease of use.

Specification

Description:1. Title:
Next-Gen Shopping: RFID and Image Processing
Enabled Automated Trolley System for Retail
Shopping
2. Applicants: ANANDH BA, NANDAKUMAR P,
SHANKAR GANESH A, SABARINATHAN R, KAVYA
KARTHIKEYAN R
3. Description:
Field of Invention:
This invention pertains to the field of retail
automation, particularly focusing on the design and
development of an automated shopping trolley. The
system leverages RFID technology for automatic billing
and image processing for navigation and interaction
with customers. The invention aims to improve the
shopping experience by reducing waiting times and
enabling autonomous product management.
Background of Invention:
With the rapid growth of technology in retail, there is
an increasing demand for automation to enhance
customer experiences and streamline operations.
Traditional shopping methods often involve long
waiting times at checkout counters, manual
management of shopping carts, and limited interaction
between products and customers. While vision-based
and line-following robots have become common in
various applications, the integration of these
technologies with smart trolleys is relatively new.
Smart shopping trolleys equipped with multiple
sensors, cameras, and wireless networking capabilities
are transforming the retail experience. They allow for
better product management, reduce the need for
physical checkout lines, and offer real-time data to
retailers about inventory and customer shopping
patterns. This invention combines RFID, image
processing, and IoT to develop a trolley system that not
only automates billing but also assists customers in
navigation and shopping.
4. Objectives:
1. Reduce checkout wait times: Automating the
billing process through RFID tags allows
customers to pay as they shop, bypassing
traditional checkout queues.
2. Improve shopping navigation and
convenience: By utilizing image processing
and line-following technologies, the trolley can
autonomously navigate store aisles, following
the customer or moving independently
3. Enhance retail efficiency: The system provides
real-time stock monitoring and data analytics,
enabling store managers to optimize inventory
and better understand customer behaviours.
5. Summary of the Invention:
The invention describes an automated shopping trolley
system equipped with RFID technology for seamless
billing and a combination of sensors and cameras for
autonomous navigation. The trolley interacts with
products via RFID tags, allowing for automatic price
tallying and real-time updates. Image processing is
employed to track and follow customers, while linefollowing technology assists with autonomous
movement within predefined paths. Additionally, the
system includes obstacle avoidance capabilities
through sensors to ensure safe navigation within
crowded shopping environments. The trolley is also
equipped with an external camera for customer
experience monitoring, providing feedback on
shopping patterns and preferences.
6. Detailed Description of the Invention:
The automated trolley system comprises an Arduino
Uno and ESP32 controllers that coordinate various
functionalities, including auto-billing and autonomous
movement. The trolley operates in two primary
modes:
1. Follow Me Mode: In this mode, the trolley
uses image processing algorithms via a mobile
application to detect and follow the
movement of a shopper. It tracks the
customer's position and direction, maintaining
a set distance using ultrasonic sensors for
obstacle avoidance. The system is designed to
dynamically adjust its movement based on the
customer's direction and speed.
2. Follow You Mode: In this mode, the trolley
navigates independently, following pre-set
paths within the store using IR sensors for linefollowing. The trolley avoids obstacles and
alerts the user when necessary, allowing for a
seamless shopping experience.
Auto-Billing System: The RFID module scans the tags
on products added to the trolley, displaying the price
and total cost on an attached LCD screen. Customers
can review the items in their cart and remove products
as needed through a push button interface. The system
integrates an online billing update feature via the
ESP8266 module, which sends transaction data to the
retailer's database for tracking and inventory
management.
Security and Monitoring: To ensure a secure shopping
environment, the trolley includes a 5kg load cell that
tracks the weight of the items placed inside it. Any
discrepancies between the weight and the scanned
items trigger alerts. Furthermore, an external camera
module (ESP32cam) monitors customer movements
and provides valuable insights into shopping patterns
and product engagement.
The combination of these technologies not only
enhances the shopping experience but also provides
retailers with actionable data for improving
operational efficiency. The system's ability to automate
key aspects of the shopping journey makes it a
valuable asset in modern retail environments. , C , Claims:) With the help of the cam module, we can watch the customer activities. It gives more security to
both products and customers.
2) Weight sensors add more security for the products in the basket. because we cannot take out the
products from the basket without paying money.
3) The image processing technique provides a better technique to follow the particular customer
efficiently. Distance calculation and direction of movement provide the best tracking of the
customer.
4) two different modes was used in the trolley
follow me
follow you
Follow-you technique is carried out by trolley by following the customer movement.
The follow me technique is another technique in which a person will follow the trolley and get the
products. In this mode trolley was moved by line following technique
5) Product purchasing details, total amount they purchased, offers of that day, QR code for payment
after purchase, everything was provided in the UI.

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