Fraudulent activity detection at a barcode scanner by verifying visual signatures
OwnerJoshua Migdal, Malay Kunduinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
System and method for detecting a fraudulent activity at a barcode scanner is disclosed. The method issues an alert when the fraudulent activity is confirmed by comparing the visual signature of the item being transacted over the checkout terminal to the model visual signature. The model visual signature is obtained by averaging the collection of visual signature of the item gathered over a period of time. A human validation via a remote processor is employed to confirm the fraudulent activity verified by a computer.
Claims20
A method for detecting a fraudulent activity at a checkout terminal, the checkout terminal comprising a computer, the method operated via the computer, comprising the steps of:
- detecting an item identifier number of an item by scanning a barcode with a barcode scanner, the barcode being affixed to the item, wherein the barcode scanner is in communication with the computer;
- capturing an image of the item with a camera, the camera positioned to take the image of the item, the camera being in communication with the computer, wherein the image comprises the barcode and a surrounding of the barcode;
- obtaining a visual signature from the image, wherein the visual signature is obtained based on the barcode and an interesting point located in the surrounding of the barcode;
- determining a similarity between the visual signature and a model visual signature by comparing the visual signature obtained from the image to the model visual signature associated with the item identifier number, the model visual signature representing an expected visual signature of the item, wherein a plurality of model visual signatures is stored at a storage unit being accessible to the computer, each of which being associated with an item identifier number;
- and
- detecting the fraudulent activity based on the determined similarity.
A checkout system for detecting a fraudulent activity, comprising:
- a computer;
- a barcode scanner in communication with the computer, the barcode scanner positioned to detect an item identifier number of an item from a barcode, the barcode being affixed to the item;
- a camera in communication with the computer, the camera positioned to capture an image of the item, wherein the image comprises the barcode and a surrounding of the barcode;
- and
- the checkout system in communication with a storage unit via a network, wherein the checkout system is configured to:
- obtain a visual signature from the image, wherein the visual signature is obtained based on the barcode and an interesting point located in the surrounding of the barcode;
- determine a similarity between the visual signature and a model visual signature by comparing the visual signature obtained from the image to the model visual signature associated with the item identifier number, the model visual signature representing an expected visual signature of the item, wherein a plurality of model visual signatures is stored at a storage unit being accessible to the computer, each of which being associated with an item identifier number;
- and
- detect the fraudulent activity based on the determined similarity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.