Secure self-checkout

Abstract

Various embodiments allow scanning by a shopper using a barcode reader (e.g., a scanner) attached to or positioned near the shopping receptacle. As items are scanned, they are identified based on their barcode and added to an item list. Item verification can then performed at checkout using imaging technology. For example, the shopping cart or shopping basket can be brought into the field of view of a computer-connected camera. The camera and computer can, working from the customer's item list developed when the items are scanned, observe each product in the receptacle and ring it up. If all products can be accounted for, the customer is free to leave; otherwise the customer is denied egress, informed of the problem, etc. A store employee can also be signaled to investigate.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A secure self-checkout method, comprising:
 receiving a set of scans of a set of barcodes corresponding to a set of items in a shopping receptacle;   receiving a capturing of at least one image of the shopping receptacle; and   verifying the set of items at checkout by determining whether an identity of the set of items based on the scan is consistent with an appearance of the set of items based on the at least one image.   
     
     
         2 . The self-checkout method of  claim 1 , further comprising processing payment of the set of items if the set of items are successfully verified. 
     
     
         3 . The self-checkout method of  claim 1 , the set of scans being received via at least one barcode reader positioned near the shopping receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The self-checkout method of  claim 1 , the at least one image being captured by an image capture device positioned near a checkout station, and the method further comprising separating the at least one image into the set of items. 
     
     
         5 . The self-checkout method of  claim 1 , the image capture device being integrated with a bar code scanner at the checkout station, the image capture device being selected from a group consisting of: a still image camera and a video camera. 
     
     
         6 . The self-checkout method of  claim 1 , wherein the verifying further includes comparing a weight of the set of items with an expected weight. 
     
     
         7 . The self-checkout method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 registering a discrepancy if the identity is inconsistent with the appearance; and   providing a notification of the discrepancy, the notification being at least one of a visual notification or an audible notification.   
     
     
         8 . The self-checkout method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 segmenting the at least one image from a background; and   extracting at least one visual feature of the item to determine the appearance.   
     
     
         9 . A secure self-checkout system, comprising:
 a module for receiving a set of scans of a set of barcodes corresponding to a set of items in a shopping receptacle;   a module for receiving a capturing of at least one image of the shopping receptacle;   a module for processing the at least one image to individually reveal the set of items; and   a module for verifying the set of items at checkout by determining whether an identity of the set of items based on the scan is consistent with an appearance of the set of items based on the at least one image.   
     
     
         10 . The self-checkout system of  claim 9 , further comprising a module for processing payment of the set of items if the set of items are successfully verified. 
     
     
         11 . The self-checkout system of  claim 9 , the set of scans being received via at least one barcode reader positioned near the shopping receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The self-checkout system of  claim 9 , the at least one image being captured by an image capture device positioned near a checkout station. 
     
     
         13 . The self-checkout system of  claim 9 , the image capture device being integrated with a bar code scanner at the checkout station, the image capture device being selected from a group consisting of a still image camera and a video camera. 
     
     
         14 . The self-checkout system of  claim 9 , wherein the verifying further includes comparing a weight of the set of items with an expected weight. 
     
     
         15 . The self-checkout system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a module for registering a discrepancy if the identity is inconsistent with the appearance; and   a module for providing a notification of the discrepancy, the notification being at least one of a visual notification or an audible notification.   
     
     
         16 . The self-checkout system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a module for segmenting the at least one image from a background; and   a module for extracting at least one visual feature of the item to determine the appearance.   
     
     
         17 . A program product stored on a computer readable medium for secure self-checkout, the computer readable medium comprising program code that causes a computer system to:
 receive a set of scans of a set of barcodes corresponding to a set of items in a shopping receptacle;   receive a capturing of at least one image of the shopping receptacle; and   verify the set of items at checkout by determining whether an identity of the set of items based on the scan is consistent with an appearance of the set of items based on the at least one image.   
     
     
         18 . The program product of  claim 17 , the computer readable medium further comprising program code that causes the computer system to process payment of the set of items if the set of items are successfully verified. 
     
     
         19 . The program product of  claim 17 , the set of scans being received via at least one barcode reader positioned near the shopping receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The program product of  claim 17 , the at least one image being captured by an image capture device positioned near a checkout station. 
     
     
         21 . The program product of  claim 17 , the image capture device being integrated with a bar code scanner at the checkout station, the image capture device being selected from a group consisting of a still image camera and a video camera. 
     
     
         22 . The program product of  claim 17 , wherein the verifying further includes comparing a weight of the set of items with an expected weight. 
     
     
         23 . The program product of  claim 17 , the computer readable medium further comprising program code that causes the computer system to:
 register a discrepancy if the identity is inconsistent with the appearance; and   provide a notification of the discrepancy, the notification being at least one of a visual notification or an audible notification.   
     
     
         24 . The program product of  claim 17 , the computer readable medium further comprising program code that causes the computer system to:
 segment the at least one image from a background; and   extract at least one visual feature of the item to determine the appearance.   
     
     
         25 . A method for deploying a system for secure self-checkout, comprising:
 providing a computer infrastructure being operable to:
 receive a set of scans of a set of barcodes corresponding to a set of items in a shopping receptacle; 
 receive a capturing of at least one image of the shopping receptacle; and 
 verify the set of items at checkout by determining whether an identity of the set of items based on the scan is consistent with an appearance of the set of items based on the at least one image, 
 wherein the verifying further includes comparing a weight of the set of items with an expected weight.