Methods and systems to detect items left in merchandise carriers

A method to detect an item left in a merchandise carrier, the method comprising:

• receiving an indication that a merchandise carrier is to be emptied from at least one of a user or a device communicatively coupled to the input device;
• capturing an overhead image of the merchandise carrier at a checkout station in response to the indication that the merchandise carrier is to be emptied;
• detecting based on the image an obscuration of a portion of the merchandise carrier by the presence of an item in the merchandise carrier, and generate an alert signal when the portion of the merchandise carrier is obscured;
• and
• receiving the alert signal and provide a notification of the presence of the item in the merchandise carrier.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to:

• receive an indication that a merchandise carrier is to be emptied from at least one of a user or a device communicatively coupled to the input device;
• capture an overhead image of the merchandise carrier at a checkout station in response to the indication that the merchandise carrier is to be emptied;
• detect based on the image an obscuration of a portion of the merchandise carrier by the presence of an item in the merchandise carrier, and generate an alert signal when the portion of the merchandise carrier is obscured;
• and
• receive the alert signal and provide a notification of the presence of the item in the merchandise carrier.