Inventory item release apparatus and method

A materials handling system, comprising:

• a plurality of cameras positioned within the materials handling system;
• an apparatus positioned within the materials handling system, the apparatus including:
• an item placement shelf configured to receive an item placed at the apparatus;
• and
• an input component configured to obtain information about the item placed at the apparatus and provide the information about the item to a computing system;
• the computing system, including:
• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to at least:
• receive information about the item placed at the apparatus;
• process the information about the item placed at the apparatus to determine an identity of the item;
• update an item list associated with a user that placed the item at the apparatus to adjust a quantity of the item indicated on the item list;
• determine an advertisement for a second item to be presented to the user;
• and
• present, on a display of the apparatus and to the user, the advertisement.

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

• under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions,
• identifying, using first data collected by at least one of a plurality of input components of a transition area within a materials handling facility, a user positioned at the transition area;
• determining, using second data collected by at least one of the plurality of input components at the transition area, an item identity of an item picked by the user from an inventory location within the materials handling facility;
• updating, based at least in part on the item identity, an item identifier list associated with the user, the item identifier list indicating at least one item picked by the user;
• determining an advertisement for a second item to be presented to the user;
• presenting, on a display and to the user, the advertisement, wherein the display is included on an apparatus positioned within the transition area;
• and
• charging a fee to the user for items indicated on the item identifier list.