Small footprint self checkout system

Abstract

Aspects of a self checkout system are described. The system includes a product imaging scanner. Also included is a bag rack with scales substantially adjacent the product imaging scanner for holding a bag to receive imaged products. A computer system is coupled to the product imaging scanner and the bag rack for processing data from the product imaging scanner and the bag rack to ensure complete and secure product purchasing.

1 . A self checkout system comprising:
 an imaging scanner that images products being purchased;   a bag rack with scales substantially adjacent the imaging scanner for holding a bag to receive imaged products;   a computer system coupled to the product imaging scanner and the bag rack that processes data from the imaging scanner and the bag rack to ensure complete and secure product purchasing, wherein the computer system further processes image data from the product imaging scanner to track movement of each imaged product relative to the bag rack and determine whether each imaged product is entering or exiting the bag, and wherein the computer system further processes image data from each imaged product to track movement of each imaged product relative to the bag rack comprises the computer system processing one or more frames of video images associated with a given imaged product to determine whether each imaged product is entering or exiting the bag located on the bag rack.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the computer system further processes the product images from the imaging scanner to identify a given imaged product based on one of a plurality of stored visual characteristics. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the computer system processes image data from each imaged product to compare the image data with at least one other stored visual characteristic. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the computer system further processes weight data from the bag rack to compare the weight data relative to stored weight characteristics for a given imaged product. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the computer system further detects potential fraudulent purchase activity based on the visual characteristics, image data, or weight data processing and producing negative comparison results. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the stored visual characteristics comprise bar code data, texture data, shape data, and color data. 
     
     
         7 . A device for performing self checkout comprising:
 means for utilizing an imaging scanner to image products being purchased;   means for providing a bag rack with scales substantially adjacent the imaging scanner for holding a bag to receive imaged products; and   means for utilizing a computer system to process data from the imaging scanner and the bag rack to ensure complete and secure product purchasing; and   means for further utilizing the computer system to process image data from the product imaging scanner to track movement of each imaged product relative to the bag rack and determine whether each imaged product is entering or exiting the bag, and wherein utilizing the computer system to process image data from each imaged product to track movement of each imaged product relative to the bag rack comprises the computer system processing one or more frames of video images associated with a given imaged product to determine whether each imaged product is entering or exiting the bag located on the bag rack.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising means for processing the product images from the imaging scanner to identify a given imaged product based on one of a plurality of stored visual characteristics. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising means for processing image data from each imaged product to compare the image data with at least one other stored visual characteristic. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising means for processing weight data from the bag rack to compare the weight data relative to stored weight characteristics for a given imaged product. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising means for detecting potential fraudulent purchase activity based on the visual characteristics, image data, or weight data processing and producing negative comparison results. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the stored visual characteristics comprise bar code data, texture data, shape data, and color data.