Methods of identifying barcoded items by evaluating multiple identification hypotheses, based on data from sensors including inventory sensors and ceiling-mounted cameras

A method to identify a barcoded item selected from a shelf of a store by an individual, comprising the acts:

• employing information from first and second sensors in a data fusion manner to narrow a universe of possible item identifications, one of said first and second sensors comprising a ceiling-mounted sensor that is used, with other such ceiling-mounted sensors, to monitor a track of the individual through the store, the other of said first and second sensors comprising an inventory sensor, the method more particularly comprising the acts:
• based on received data, including information from the first sensor, developing a set of plural item identification hypotheses about the barcoded item selected by the individual, each of said item identification hypotheses having an associated confidence score that respectively indicates confidence about said hypothesis;
• refining the set of plural identification hypotheses about the selected barcoded item, by applying data fusion based on other information, the other information including information from the second sensor, said refining including revising at least certain of said associated confidence scores to yield revised confidence scores;
• determining whether one of said revised confidence scores has a value fulfilling a predetermined criterion;
• if need be, successively repeating said refining and determining acts based on information different than said information from the first and second sensors, until one of said revised confidence scores has a value fulfilling said predetermined criterion;
• and
• adding, to a tally for said individual, a particular item identified by the item identification hypothesis associated with said one revised confidence score that has a value fulfilling the predetermined criterion, said particular item being the barcoded item selected by the individual;
• wherein the barcoded item selected by the individual is identified as said particular item without identifying said item by reading the item barcode.