# US 10,318,976 B2 · Methods for determining measurement data of an item

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- Number: US 10,318,976 B2
- Document ID: US10318976B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/204,206
- Filed: 2016-07-07
- Published: 2017-02-02
- Granted: 2019-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2015-07-28
- Assignees: Walmart Apollo, LLC
- Applicants: Walmart Apollo, LLC
- Inventors: Christopher Joseph Hendrick
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10318976B2

## CPC

- G06Q 30/0207: Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
- A47F 9/048: {automatically}
- G06Q 20/208: {Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing}
- G07G 1/00: Cash registers
- G07G 1/0063: {with means for detecting the geometric dimensions of the article of which the code is read, such as its size or height, for the verification of the registration}
- G01G 17/00: Apparatus for or methods of weighing material of special form or property (determining weight by measuring volume G01F)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- G07G: REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G01G: WEIGHING (sorting by weighing B07C5/16)

## Abstract

Provided are a system and method for determining a weight of an item for purchase, comprising determining from a digital image of an item generated by a single camera a volume of the item, the single camera separated from the item at a distance in a horizontal and vertical direction established by a stationary rigid fixture; identifying the item; accessing a database to determine an average weight per volume measurement unit of the identified item; and calculating a weight of the item from the volume and the average weight per volume measurement unit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for determining a weight of an item for purchase, comprising:
determining from a digital image of an non-symmetrical shaped item generated by a single camera a volume of the item in a stationary position on a stationary base, the single camera in front of the item in a stationary position and separated from the item at a distance in a horizontal and vertical direction established by a stationary rigid fixture, a first mirror on one side of the item, a second mirror on another side of the item, wherein determining the volume of the item comprises:
determining a resolution of the single camera;
determining a pixel characteristic relative to the item in response to determining the resolution of the single camera;
capturing by the single camera a front facing image of the item;
determining from a number of pixels in the front facing image a first area of the item;
capturing by the single camera a right view image of the item reflected by the first mirror;
determining from a number of pixels in the right view image a second area of the item;
capturing by the single camera a left view image of the item reflected by the second mirror;
determining from a number of pixels in the left view image a third area of the item;
determining an average area of the first, second, and third areas;
determining a first width of the item from the front facing image;
determining a second width of the item from the right view image;
determining a third width of the item from the left view image;
determining an average depth of the item from an average width of the first, second, and third widths;
determining the volume of the item from the average depth and the average area;
identifying the item using an optical recognition apparatus;
accessing a database to retrieve an average weight per volume measurement unit of the identified item; and
calculating a weight of the item from the volume and the average weight per volume measurement unit.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the height is determined by multiplying an apparent height and a factor of a distance of the item from the camera and a pitch of the camera to the item.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein determining a height of the item includes determining the resolution of the camera, and determining a correction ratio of pixel to millimeters.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein determining the volume further comprises calculating a distance from the camera to the item by locking a focal length of the camera to a particular distance to provide a constant distance for applications for the basis of all other calculations.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the item is identified systematically, optically, or manually.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
positioning the item on an apparatus having stationary base and the stationary rigid fixture;
positioning the single camera on the stationary rigid fixture a predetermined distance from the item; and
generating a digital image including the front facing image, the left view image, and the right view image of the item.