US 2016/0109281 A1 · VISUAL CHECKOUT WITH CENTER OF MASS SECURITY CHECK

Abstract

A method, computer program product, and system for providing a security check of items being purchased by a consumer. A digital image of items for purchase arranged on a scale is captured. An estimated total weight and a cumulative center of mass of the items are estimated. An actual total weight and cumulative center of mass of the items are measured using the scale. If the estimated total weight of the items differs from the actual total weight by more than a first threshold amount and/or if the estimated cumulative center of mass of the items differs from the measured cumulative center of mass by more than a second threshold amount, an alert can be output. The alert can include an instruction for the customer or a store employee to rearrange the items on the scale to attempt to resolve the discrepancy.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

calculating, using a computer processor, an estimated cumulative center of mass for items visible in an image, wherein the items are on a platen of a scale;
calculating, using the computer processor, a measured cumulative center of mass for the items, based on partial weight measurements received from load cells supporting the platen;
and
generating an alert upon the estimated cumulative center of mass for the items differing from the measured cumulative center of mass by at least a first threshold amount.

1 more element

A system, comprising:

a scale, comprising:
a platen that includes a surface that can support the items for purchase;
and
at least three load cells arranged to support the platen and the items for purchase, wherein each of the load cells supports a partial weight of the total weight of the items for purchase, and wherein each of the load cells outputs a partial weight signal;
at least one digital camera arranged to capture at least one digital image of items on the platen for purchase by a customer;
a display device;
and
a computer processor in communication with the at least one digital camera and the scale, wherein the computer processor is configured to:
calculate an estimated cumulative center of mass for items visible in the at least one image;
calculate a measured cumulative center of mass for the items, based on the partial weight signals received from the at least three load cells;
and
output an alert to the display device upon the estimated cumulative center of mass for the items differing from the measured cumulative center of mass by at least a first threshold amount.

9 more elements

A computer program product, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code embodied therewith, the computer-readable program code executable by one or more computer processors to:
calculate an estimated cumulative center of mass for items visible in an image, wherein the items are on a platen of a scale;
calculate a measured cumulative center of mass for the items, based on partial weight measurements received from load cells supporting the platen;
and
generate an alert upon the estimated cumulative center of mass for the items differing from the measured cumulative center of mass by at least a first threshold amount.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/659,169Filed 16 Mar 2015

Priority

15 Oct 2014

Published

21 Apr 2016

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification56 codes

G07G 1/0054
With a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID]…
G01B 11/00
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
G01G 19/4144
Using electronic computing means only: for controlling weight of goods in commercial establishments, e.g. supermarket, P.O.S. systems
G01S 19/13
Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting…:…

Visual checkout with center of mass security check

Life of this patent

Visual checkout with center of mass security check

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20