Self checkout with visual recognition

A method of self-checkout at point of sale station, the station having (1) a data reader section including an optical code reader with a read volume and configured to read an optical code on an item being passed by a user through the read volume and generate a product identifier of the item and (2) a downstream collection section comprising a bagging section within which items read by the optical code reader are collected as placed therein by the user after having passed them through the read volume, the method comprising the steps of

• a user passing an item bearing an optical code through the read volume of the optical code reader within the data reader section;
• reading the optical code with the optical code reader, the optical code reader generating a product identifier of the item;
• the user placing an item into the bagging section;
• by means of at least one camera disposed with a field of view of the bagging section, capturing one or more images of the item placed into the bagging section;
• and
• by means of a processor, (a) accessing a database of features and images of known objects, (b) extracting a plurality of visual features from the one or more images of the item, (c) identifying matches between the extracted visual features and the features of known objects, (d) generating a geometric transform between the extracted visual features and the features of known objects for a subset of known objects corresponding to the matches, (e) identifying one of the known objects based on a best match of the geometric transform;
• and
• executing one of a predetermined set of actions if the known object that has been identified from the extracted visual features is different than the item corresponding to the product identifier.

A method of self-checkout at point of sale station, the station having (1) a data reader section including an optical code reader with a read volume and configured to read an optical code on an item being passed by a user through the read volume and generate a product identifier of the item and (2) a downstream collection section comprising at least one of a bagging area and a conveyor section within which items read by the optical code reader are collected having been placed therein by the user after having passed them through the read volume, the method comprising the steps of

• via the optical code reader, identifying items by attempting to read the optical code on each item as it is passed through the read volume;
• the user moving an item into the collection section;
• by means of at least one camera disposed with a field of view of the collection section, capturing one or more images of the item moved into the downstream section;
• by means of a processor, (a) accessing a database of features and images of known objects, (b) extracting a plurality of visual features from the one or more images of the item, (c) identifying matches between the extracted visual features and the features of known objects, (d) generating a geometric transform between the extracted visual features and the features of known objects for a subset of known objects corresponding to the matches, (e) identifying one of the known objects based on a best match of the geometric transform;
• determining whether the known object identified in the collection section does not correspond to any item having been identified by the optical code reader in a current transaction;
• if the known object identified in the collection section is determined to not correspond to any item having been identified by the optical code reader in a current transaction, taking a remedial action selected from the group consisting of:
• adding the known object identified to a list of items being purchased, and inquiring of the user whether the known object identified is desired to be added the list of items being purchased.