Multi-camera simultaneous imaging for multiple processes

A method comprising:

• providing, at a checkout terminal, a product scanner with processor and a plurality cameras enclosed therein;
• receiving digital images from the plurality of cameras of the product scanner, the processor of which performs the method, the digital images from each camera captured at various illumination and exposure levels including digital images captured with natural illumination and auto-exposure providing and overall view of an area;
• automatically, by the processor, sorting digital images based on illumination and exposure levels of the respective digital images for distribution to a plurality of digital image processing services that each perform at least one task with regard to a received digital image, the automatic sorting of the digital images including an automatic sorting of digital images captured by cameras with an auto-exposure level for presenting to a video recording service;
• simultaneously, by the processor, reading any barcodes presented in the digital images from the digital images and providing barcode information from the reading to the checkout terminal over a universal serial bus (USB) connection of the product scanner;
• processing digital images to conform to requirements of digital image processing services to which the digital images are to be provided;
• and
• transmitting digital images to respective services for which they are automatically sorted, wherein transmitting further includes transmitting the digital images over a video-over-Ethernet connection of the product scanner to at least one of the service associated with a security video monitoring and recording service.

A product scanner device comprising:

• a plurality of cameras;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing instructions executable on the processor to perform data processing activities comprising:
• receiving digital images from the plurality of cameras including digital images, the digital images from each camera captured at various illumination and exposure levels including digital images captured with natural illumination and auto-exposure providing an overall view of an area;
• automatically sorting digital images based on illumination and exposure levels of the respective digital images for distribution to a plurality of digital image processing services that each perform at least one task with regard to a received digital image, the automatic sorting of the digital images including an automatic sorting of digital images captured by cameras with an auto-exposure level for presenting to a video recording service;
• simultaneously reading any barcodes presented in the digital images from the digital images and providing barcode information from the reading to a checkout terminal over a universal serial bus (USB) connection of the product scanner;
• and
• presenting digital images to respective services for which they are automatically sorted, wherein presenting further includes transmitting the digital images over a video-over-Ethernet connection of the product scanner device to at least one of the service associated with a security video monitoring and recording service.