[757labs] Two newer older projects, part 1 self checkout

[telmnstr at 757.org]

Two projects that should be close to a point where they can move forward:

First, the self checkout stand. Barcode scanner is in, and it's nice! It 
has the beep like you're in the store, beacuse it's the same kind from the 
store. Erik has the dollar bill validator thing. Jody is interested in 
doing software. My vision is a thick client running on Linux to a database 
backend. Then other apps can pound the database to make cool stats.

I'm going to create a wiki entry for it, and start plugging in some ideas.

So far features envisioned are:

Allow member to deposit money
Allow guest to deposit money
Allow member/guest to check out something
  - Could use barcode card for now
  - Could move to prox in the future
Allow member to restock
  - Barcode scan to get product type
  - Enter quantity being added to fridge
  - Enter price and paid tax for quantity
  - System does the rest

Of course in the future it could be extended to electronic parts or 
something, but who cares about tthat for now.

Then as members buy stuff, it's logged to database.

Any ideas or suggestions on database schemas or ways to make it efficent 
is good.

Also, read access to the data and a web application to allow random people 
on our website to see that stats (sodas bought by day, popularity by 
drink, etc.) would be fun.

Optional hardware support for the future to keep in mind should include a 
"pole display" (the little display on the pole), maybe voice announcement 
of what was bought, and some other fun stuff. There are receipt printers 
but I don't really see why we'd need one. LOL, rewards program?

This could easily be something that goes to MAKE.

We have a touchscreen tablet PC to use for the screen. I've never 
researched the black and white ones with the buttons that they use on real 
cash registers.

PyGame might be a good way to do a full screen interface. Could render out 
some animations to make it look crazy pro.

Thoughts?